There's no place like Rome: Arsenal target De Rossi wants to stay put

02 August 2009 09:13
Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has rubbished reports he is set for a move to Arsenal. Speculation is rife that Arsenal are preparing a big-money bid for De Rossi. However, the 26-year-old claims he has no intention of leaving the capital club, which he joined as a youth player in 2000. "Arsenal? I have never heard anything," said De Rossi. "Roma have declared me untransferable, I want to stay only here. "Things would change if they wanted to offload me but they have always wanted me. "I was on holiday, I read certain figures and even I didn't know if it could be true, I told myself 'maybe this time they will really sell me'. "But the club always came out and declared that I was not for sale and that really pleased me. It's the only thing I want." Alberto Aquilani has also been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League, with reports suggesting Liverpool are close to signing the midfielder. De Rossi believes it would be a good move for his team-mate but believes the Giallorossi would regret it. "I don't know the details and I don't know if the deal is real," he added. "If it's as it's written in the papers, we will lose a great player. "His many injuries have maybe meant that he's been forgotten about a bit, but I am sure that if he leaves we will regret it. "He's a footballer with exceptional skill and above all he grew up in Roma's academy and has a love for this shirt that you cannot buy. "But if you think about his career I think it would be a good opportunity, he would grow a lot by being close to the best midfielder in the world - Steven Gerrard."

Source: Daily_Mail