Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti has alluded that Les Parisiens could launch an official move for AS Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi when the transfer window opens in January, Sky Sports understands.
Reports of a rift between De Rossi and club officials has fueled speculation that the Italy international will leave his boyhood club during the January transfer window.
This after the Turin giants reportedly rejected a €100 million bid for the defensive midfielder during the summer, according the club’s general manager Franco Baldini.
Manchester City have been linked with a move for De Rossi since last season, with Roberto Mancini a long-time admirer of the Italian midfield boss. Now you can add Carlo Ancelotti to that list.
“De Rossi is a great player, I was surprised that he did not play the last game, but I think it was a situation of the moment,” Ancelotti told Radio Monte Carlo.
“He is a great midfielder so it is normal that PSG are linked because we are one of the few teams than can spend.
“But for now the market is closed. We can talk again in January.”
Both Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have the funds to pursue De Rossi in January, but is the Azzurri international worth a world-record transfer fee?
In all honesty, no defensive midfielder could possibly be worth €100 million, especially since Cristiano Ronaldo only cost Real Madrid £80 million, approximately €94 million, in the summer of 2009.
De Rossi has made 15 appearances (13 starts) for club and country this season, tallying two goals and two assists.
Mannone rubbishes Napoli rumours
Arsenal shot-stopper Vito Mannone has rubbished reports linking him with a move to Napoli, while revealing that he has a “few more years” left on his current contract with the Gunners, Sky Sports reports.
Mannone has received extended playing time this season, with No. 1 goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny currently sidelined due to injury.
With that said, the Italian’s form, and Szczesny’s lack thereof, could lead Arsene Wenger to make a permanent switch in between the sticks for the Gunners.
“I want to make it clear, because there have been unfounded rumours, that my contract is not ending in 12 months,” Mannone told Arsenal
Player.
“I’ve got a few more years and I’m happy to be at Arsenal right now. I’m looking at the present and my future is not in doubt.
“I want to stay at Arsenal as long as I can, I don’t want to move to any other club.”
Now then, can Mannone replace Wojciech Szczesny as Arsenal’s No. 1 goalkeeper? The answer is rather simple, yes, pending the continuance of the Italian’s purple patch in between the sticks.
Mannone has featured in five English Premier League matches for the Gunners in 2012-13, while keeping two clean-sheets.
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