De Rossi battles over contract

De Rossi: Is still negotiating a reasonable contract with Roma

Midfield ace Daniele De Rossi has warned Roma that he will not sign an unacceptable contract.

The Italian, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, will be a free agent in June meaning the Serie A side could risk losing one of their top stars for nothing.

The 28-year-old has revealed that negotiations between the club and himself appear to keep hitting several obstacles.

"We're battling over it and negotiating. Obviously I would like to earn a little more, while the club wants to spend less. It's only normal and happens at every club," he told Football Italia.

"Am I ready to sign a blank contract to stay at Roma? No."

Huge loss

Walter Sabatini, the club's director of football, has admitted De Rossi would be a huge loss if negotiations failed.

"Daniele's contract does worry me though I think it can be resolved as he strongly wants to stay here," he said. "It's only right he looks at the market rate and makes his requests.

"We are discussing it in a very constructive way. The club has thought of a fairly innovative type of contract. It would be a huge loss if he did leave, and Roma must be ready to accept that, but I don't think it will come to that.

"Many emissaries came to Rome, but the big money offer the media talked about never actually materialised. De Rossi has never been for sale."