Data drop: How Radja Nainggolan's transfer fee stacks up

Chelsea FC’s detractors scoff at how the team has bought their success of the last decade. Fortunately for them, the Blues may be unwilling to buy another decade’s worth of trophies.

AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has been one of the few subjects of the Chelsea FC rumor mill to rise above being rumor and become a definite possibility. Incoming manager Antonio Conte has been very open about his desire to see Nainggolan at Stamford Bridge, and last month AS Roma’s sporting director visited Chelsea’s front office to discuss the details. At the time, The Guardian reported that the Italians were looking for a transfer fee in the £35 million range, while Chelsea were hoping to pay closer to £25 million.

Ever the shrewd negotiators – you know, the same people that brought you Falcao – Chelsea low-balled the price floor that they themselves set with a £23 million offer.

You can guess how AS Roma responded.

We’ve covered the tactical benefits Nainggolan can bring to Antonio Conte’s Blues several times here at The Pride of London. Today, we’re going to play Armchair Accountant to show how an eight-figure transfer fee is really, when you get down to it, NBD.

£71 million – most expensive transfer in Premier League history; most expensive transfer for a non-Spanish team (Angel di Maria, Manchester United 2014)

£60 million – Chelsea’s payout for winning the 2012 UEFA Champions League

More from Chelsea FC Transfer Rumours

£50 million – most expensive transfer fee in Chelsea FC history; most expensive transfer in Premier League history by a team not in Manchester (Fernando Torres 2011)

£35 million – AS Roma’s asking price for Radja Nainggolan, as reported on 8 April of this year.

£34 million – largest transfer fee paid by a Premier League team to an Italian team (Andriy Shevchenko, Chelsea 2006)

£32 million – AS Roma’s lowest acceptable price for Nainggolan, as reported today.

£32 million – Diego Costa’s and Eden Hazard’s transfer fee

45 – where Nainggolan’s expected transfer fee would rank among all-time most expensive transfers in global football

22 – where Nainggolan’s expected transfer fee would rank among all-time most expensive transfers in Premier League history

£150 million – anticipated prize money paid to next season’s champions based on Premier League media rights fees

£99 million – anticipated prize money paid to next season’s 20th place finishers based on Premier League media rights fees (excluding parachute payment)

Chelsea has plenty of young talent in the academy to develop over the long-term. The club does not need to bring in development prospects that it can send out on loan. The front office’s top priority needs to be building a team that will guarantee Chelsea’s return to at least the top six next year. Two seasons away from European football will have long-term effects on the club’s financial picture and ability to recruit high-value players.

Next: John Terry to Get Chelsea FC Farewell at Stamford Bridge

Coming off a historically poor season, Chelsea is picking an unusual time to drive a hard-bargain in the name of thriftiness. AS Roma’s asking price for Radja Nainggolan may be more than Chelsea would like to pay, but it is well within Chelsea’s ability to pay and industry standards. Just as importantly, signing Nainggolan would demonstrate that Chelsea is not settling for half-measures in overcoming this season’s failures. Faced with the prospect of another season getting embarassed by opponents and missing the Champions League, Chelsea can’t afford to pass over someone like Nainggolan.

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Data drop: How Radja Nainggolan’s transfer fee stacks up

By George Perry | May 10, 2016

Chelsea FC’s detractors scoff at how the team has bought their success of the last decade. Fortunately for them, the Blues may be unwilling to buy another decade’s worth of trophies.