Radja Nainggolan could only complete a return to Cagliari towards the end of the transfer window, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Ninja has accepted there is no future for him at Inter after being frozen out of Antonio Conte’s first-team squad and is considering offers.
The Chinese transfer window ends on Wednesday and this makes it unlikely Nainggolan will move to the Super League, barring an incredible turnaround.
But in any case he is confident he can still play at a high level, meaning he wants a club that can offer Champions League football.
Inter do not want to make a net loss on Nainggolan and are looking for a buyer who can offer the €9 million they need to cover his amortisation costs.
This restricts the list of clubs who could be interested in taking him off their hands, though, meaning Nainggolan could still be on their books at the end of August.
Should that be the case then Cagliari could revive their interest, once they have concluded a deal for Nahitan Nandez or Exequiel Palacios.
Nainggolan would give priority in Italy to Roma and Cagliari for logistical reasons, but the Giallorossi are not interested in bringing him back.
The player would nonetheless need to take a wage cut if he wishes to return to Sardinia, unless Inter agreed to pay part of it.
