De Rossi to reject City interest

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi intends to resist overtures from Manchester City and sign a new contract with the Italian club, his agent Claudio Pasqualin said on Thursday.

City coach Roberto Mancini has made no secret of his desire to bring the 28-year-old Italy international to Eastlands but he now looks set to miss out as even the riches on offer from the Abu Dhabi-backed club cannot tear De Rossi away from his home-town side.

"De Rossi wants to stay at Roma, even though as a professional he wants to optimise his (financial) situation," said Pasqualin.

"My feeling is that an agreement will be reached."

De Rossi's contract situation has been dragging on for some time and his current deal is due to expire at the end of the season.

He can start talking to other clubs and could even sign a pre-contract deal to join someone else next season.

Pasqualin revealed that the two parties are still discussing the size of a release clause in the new deal.

"The stumbling block is the figure with which the player can release himself in June, which is a sufficient period within which to re-evaluate the situation," he said.