Radja Nainggolan has not lost hope of returning to Inter in the future after completing a season-long loan to Cagliari.

The midfielder wanted to stay with the Nerazzurri but Antonio Conte made it clear he was not part of his plans.

Cagliari supporters gave Nainggolan a warm welcome at the Sardegna Arena tonight, but the 31-year-old wasn’t prepared to rule out an Inter revival.

“I know I’m on loan, I have two years left on my contract and you never know what can happen in the future,” Nainggolan told Sky Sport.

“Perhaps things could change for myself and Cagliari, who might make other investments next year. At the moment this is my position and I want to make a success of my time here.”

Nainggolan refused to speak badly of Inter after scoring seven goals in a turbulent debut campaign.

He added: “I can’t say anything bad, I was always happy there. They made a decision and I have to respect it.

“I certainly made mistakes but now I have to think positively and prove to Inter they were wrong in letting me go. I always trained well there.”

Inter will be pitted against Nainggolan as early as week two this season when Conte’s side play Cagliari in Sardinia.