How Manchester United missed out on Daniele De Rossi
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AS Roma coach Rudi Garcia has revealed that Manchester United made an enquiry for Daniele De Rossi over the summer, but left it too late to enter into negotiations.
De Rossi attracted huge interest during the close season, with United and Chelsea heading the list of clubs interested in the 30-year-old.
The Italy international eventually decided to remain with the Giallorossi, but admitted he did consider leaving the club he has spent his entire career.
"There was a lot of talk about me leaving this summer," De Rossi told Sky Sport Italia.
"When I spoke to the coach and the club, seeing as I like to always be clear, for the first time ever I said I'd be willing to listen to any offers.
"I'd see them, evaluate them, whereas in previous years I had always turned down any proposal without even hearing who it was from.
"This year I felt that it could be the right year to change or at least listen to what was out there.
"As you know, last season things didn't go well for me and I wanted the best both for me and above all - and I say above all - for Roma.
"Being a Roma player and not making the fans happy, not having everyone agree you should be there, is a pretty crushing blow for me."
And Garcia has claimed that United were in touch about the midfielder, but the call came after a deadline the club had set for a deal to be struck.
The French tactician told L'Équipe: "In the summer we talked about his future. He is from Rome, but there were some big clubs looking at him.
"I told him that I could not lose him last minute, so we set a date after which no one would leave. That is exactly what happened.
"A few days after the first Serie A match of the season, Manchester United called the club and called him, but the date had passed and he didn't move."
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| Daniele De Rossi was a target for Manchester United, but remains with AS Roma Photo: Getty Images |
De Rossi attracted huge interest during the close season, with United and Chelsea heading the list of clubs interested in the 30-year-old.
The Italy international eventually decided to remain with the Giallorossi, but admitted he did consider leaving the club he has spent his entire career.
"There was a lot of talk about me leaving this summer," De Rossi told Sky Sport Italia.
"When I spoke to the coach and the club, seeing as I like to always be clear, for the first time ever I said I'd be willing to listen to any offers.
"I'd see them, evaluate them, whereas in previous years I had always turned down any proposal without even hearing who it was from.
"This year I felt that it could be the right year to change or at least listen to what was out there.
"As you know, last season things didn't go well for me and I wanted the best both for me and above all - and I say above all - for Roma.
"Being a Roma player and not making the fans happy, not having everyone agree you should be there, is a pretty crushing blow for me."
And Garcia has claimed that United were in touch about the midfielder, but the call came after a deadline the club had set for a deal to be struck.
The French tactician told L'Équipe: "In the summer we talked about his future. He is from Rome, but there were some big clubs looking at him.
"I told him that I could not lose him last minute, so we set a date after which no one would leave. That is exactly what happened.
"A few days after the first Serie A match of the season, Manchester United called the club and called him, but the date had passed and he didn't move."
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