The 27 year-old, who has played 63 times for Italy, is
considering leaving the Serie A side he has supported since
childhood after a turbulent three years in which his father-in-law
was shot and killed in a gangland revenge attack and he separated
from his wife, Tamara.
United, like Real Madrid, hold a longstanding interest in the
Roma vice-captain but have been consistently informed that he would
not consider leaving the club where he started his career and his
father, Alberto, remains a youth team coach.
Both clubs have now been informed, though, that De Rossi is
prepared to leave the Italian capital in a bid to escape the
troubles that have enveloped his life away from the game.
Jose Mourinho, the Real manager, is thought to be keen to pair
the player with Xabi Alonso, while Sir Alex Ferguson will be given
funds this summer to strengthen his squad, with a replacement for
Paul Scholes, along with a goalkeeper and a central defender,
likely to be a priority.
Though his age and price may not appeal to
United’s
desire to bring in players with high resale values, De Rossi’s
undisputed quality would tempt Ferguson, who has struggled to
settle on a central midfield partnership in recent years.
