De Rossi denies Premier League interest

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has denied saying he was interested in a move to the English Premier League.

The 28-year-old was reported to have told FourFourTwo magazine that he would be interested in a move to the UK.

“The English Premier League would be a great experience, and it’s nice to hear that (Manchester United boss) Alex Ferguson and (Manchester City manager) Roberto Mancini would be interested and take me to Manchester,” he was quoted as saying.

But the Italian international has used his official Twitter page to deny giving those quotes to the publication, Tweeting: “I never released those statements to the magazine.”

De Rossi’s contract at Roma is due to expire at the end of next season and despite the tough-tackling midfielder announcing his intention to stay at the club, negotiations have stalled.

The club vice-captain is expected to feature for the side in their crunch Serie A encounter with Juventus on Monday and De Rossi was keen to praise Antonio Conte’s men.

“I will give my maximum, the Bianconeri are a great side and they have some important players but we will focus on our own game and take the field with the intention to win,” he told Il Sole 24 Ore.

De Rossi has made 13 Serie A appearances for Roma this season, scoring one goal in their opening day 2-1 defeat to Cagliari.