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De Rossi admits he nearly quit Roma

06 February 2012 - 13:25

Italy and Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has today put pen to paper on a fresh contract at his club, but admitted that he very nearly quit the club this month, apparently for a move to Manchester City.

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Roberto Mancini the Man City boss is a huge fan of De Rossi, and instead signed David Pizarro during the January transfer window.<br />

De Rossi said today:&nbsp;"What drives me to stay here, to do my job with so much passion is this team, this city and its people. What I desire is here.'<br />

"I thought of many things, of alternatives and I spoke to many people during this time. I wanted to stay only if I was welcomed by the fans.<br />

"Last year I saw the love from the fans towards me diminish and the fact that some of them questioned my strength as a player made me think of seeking alternatives.<br />

"There was also the thought of ambition, the idea of playing somewhere else, to face the top teams in the world, not that we don't have that possibility here.<br />

"Those things fascinated me and I did speak to other clubs. I was very tempted to see if I had the strength to play elsewhere. But in the end I made a choice not just of the heart but of the head. I have not remained here just to be a tourist in Rome and see the Coliseum. I believe a lot in this new project."<br />

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Written by Samuel Turnbull