Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is preparing a swoop for Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, according to sources in Italy.

 

Mancini has watched with great interest as the 28-year-old has failed to find agreement with the Giallorossi to extend a contract which is due to expire next summer.

 

Roma have left no stone unturned in their efforts to convince the Italy international that he should extend his spell in the capital and follow in the footsteps of club icon Francesco Totti, who has remained at the Stadio Olimpico for his entire career.

 

Despite this however, the side’s Serie A performance this season has caused De Rossi to ponder his future, with Luis Enrique’s men well off the title pace.

 

But De Rossi has not yet put pen to paper and a bid from Manchester City next month could concentrate minds at the Giallorossi.

 

And Mancini is thought to be ready to tempt Roma with an offer of some €9M – a generous sum for a player who could walk away from the Italian giants in a little over six months.

 

The Citizens’ boss rates De Rossi highly and would love to be able to call upon the midfielder’s services when Yaya Toure departs for the African Cup of Nations in January.

 

Whether De Rossi would be willing to jump ship to Eastlands or would rather weigh up his options in the summer, remains to be seen, but Roma are keen to avoid losing the tough-tackling enforcer for nothing.

 

The Rome-born midfielder has never turned out for any club side other than his hometown team; he has also clocked up 70 caps with Italy.

 

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