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De Rossi admits he nearly quit Roma

De Rossi admits he nearly quit Roma


De Rossi admits he nearly quit Roma

Football Transfer Centre

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.

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


De Rossi said today: "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.'


"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.


"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.


"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.


"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."