Rudi Garcia says he is 'counting on' Radja Nainggolan to stay at Roma

Radja Nainggolan in action for Belgium against Wales last week

Roma coach Rudi Garcia says he is hopeful highly-rated midfielder Radja Nainggolan will still be at the club next season.

The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League with Manchester United and Liverpool thought to be interested.

However, the Serie A side are keen to acquire Nainggolan outright this summer and are seeking an agreement with Cagliari, who part-own the player’s sporting rights.

Garcia told magazine France Football: “Nainggolan is a true force of nature. He's got an exceptional mentality and a winning character. He is a leader and I'm counting on him for next season.”

Nainggolan made 30 league starts for Roma last season and scored five times, as they finished second in the table, behind Juventus, to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Having originally arrived in Italy in 2005 to play for Piacenza Calcio, he moved on to Cagliari in 2010.

He went on to join Roma on loan in January 2014 and the team from the Italian capital have him under contract until June 2018, having purchased 50 per cent of his registration rights last summer.