Roma confident De Rossi will stay

Roma director general Franco Baldini believes Daniele De Rossi will sign a new contract with the Serie A club.

The 28-year-old midfielder has been in talks over extending his current deal, which expires in 2012, but last week said the club could be better off without him.

Those comments led to speculation De Rossi would leave for Premier League giants Manchester City.

However, Baldini is confident the Italy international will agree a new deal with the club.

“I have spoken to Daniele and he was calm and mature. It was nice to see him like that,” Baldini told Il Corriere dello Sport.

“I told him that if he had half of the desire the club have to keep him then he should stay.”

“He seems willing to find an agreement so he can stay.”

Baldini was accused of calling captain Francesco Totti lazy before his appointment as director general and the Italian chief clarified his comments.

“I never said Totti was lazy, I just said he was focused on doing other things,” Baldini said.

“We want Totti to be normal, there was no criticism towards him.”

Roma play Palermo at the Olimpico on Sunday in Serie A.