Manchester City closing in on Daniele De Rossi

Manchester City are reported to be closing in a deal for Roma playmaker Daniele De Rossi in a move that will appease Roberto Mancini.The City boss has wanted to sign the Italian international since last summer but the club's money men are believed to have refused to stump up the cash to make the switch happen.
De Rossi then appeared to be completely off the radar in February when he signed a new contract to keep him with the Serie A side until at least 2017.However, Mancini has now reportedly got his way after complaining about a lack of transfer activity this summer from the reigning Premier League champions in comparison to many of their top rivals.He has been on at football director Brian Marwood to support him in his bid for the 28-year-old, and a deal worth just under £24m for De Rossi is said to be imminent.
The Roma vice-captain has won 78 caps for his country and played a key role for Italy as they reach the final of Euro 2012, which they lost 4-0 to Spain.Mancini has never made a secret of his admiration for the player, saying back in January: "De Rossi is a champion and would be the perfect man to improve City."

Arsenal Linked to Daniele de Rossi

Arsenal have been linked with a surprise move for AS Roma ace Daniele de Rossi, who is still yet to agree a new contract at Stadio Olimpico. The Italy international midfielder has a year remaining on his deal, and has discussed his disillusionment with life in Rome in recent times, which naturally resulted in a flurry of transfer rumours. Manchester United and Man City have been the two strongest linked clubs, but reports in the Italian press now claim that Arsene Wenger will use money from the sale of Cesc Fabregas to sign de Rossi. De Rossi turned 28 years old today, which means he would not fit in with the standard Arsenal transfer strategy, but Wenger has admitted recently that some aspects of his approach would have to change. De Rossi is a strong, hustling central midfielder who is a fine leader. He tackles well, is good in the air and possesses a powerful strike from distance. If Fabregas is sold, it is to be assumed that Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey will take the baton of the creative influences in midfield. In the meantime, De Rossi and Alex Song would take turns to anchor - unless Wenger opted for a containing strategy and employed both.

Man City Hijack Man United Transfer Target

Manchester United will reportedly miss out on Daniele De Rossi after being gazumped by Manchester City.According to the Daily Star, the Barclays Premier League champions had planned an £18 million bid for the Roma midfielder, but their Manchester rivals are ready to blow that offer out of the water with £35 million.De Rossi has been linked with a move away from the Stadio Olimpico for a number of months after falling out with the fans and suffering serious problems in his personal life.The Telegraph initially intimated that the Italy international had urged his representatives to organise a move away from Rome in the summer, which was said to have alerted United to his potential availability.

It was then suggested that United had sent their top scout Martin Ferguson - brother of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson - to run the rule over De Rossi on more than one occasion last season, and everything pointed towards a transfer window bid.However, if reports are to be believed, United are set to miss out on the 27-year-old, who is said to have been identified as the perfect candidate to fill the hole left by Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves.

But Eastlands and not Old Trafford now looks to be the more likely destination for the fiery Italian, who would add to a bevy of central midfield talent already at the disposal of Roberto Mancini.