Mancini: 'I wanted De Rossi at Manchester City, I consider him as one of the best midfielders in the world'
De Rossi has announced that he will leave Roma at the end of the season, 19 years after he joined the giallorossi back in 2000 from his hometown club Ostia Mare. Since then, the Italian has appeared over 600 times for the giallorossi and won the FIFA World Cup with Italy in 2006.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Italy boss Mancini has revealed that he wanted De Rossi during his time at Manchester City.
Mancini said: "There is sorrow for a boy who gave everything; today is a sad day. I remember I wanted him at Manchester City because I always considered him one of the best midfielders in the world. He was suitable for us who had just won the Premier and we wanted to strengthen ourselves for the Champions League. But he had Roma on him and he didn't come."
De Rossi will leave the club as the their second highest appearance maker, with the first one being Francesco Totti, who left the club in 2017.