AS Roma have confirmed they are in talks with potential investors over a possible sale of shares, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.

Boston-based American businessman James Pallotta has been trying to build the club a new stadium in order to boost revenue as it currently shares the Stadio Olimpico with city rivals Lazio. However, Roma's president and chairman has been frustrated by the slow progress with the infrastructure plans and the local government's lack of assistance in upgrading the club's current venue.

Widespread reports suggest that Texas entrepreneur Dan Friedkin - who is worth US$4.2 billion, according to Forbes - is the interested party.

Club shares rose 16.6 per cent on the Italian stock market following reports of interest from the Friedkin Group, forcing the club to issue a statement to clarify its position. The statement does not, however, reveal who talks are being held with.

Pallotta and a group of investors bought two-thirds of club shares for US$100m in 2011 and now value the Serie A outfit at more than US$1 billion.

American investment bank and financial services company Goldman Sachs has been assisting sale efforts, with due diligence reportedly already underway.

A report in Italian news outlet Il Messagero suggests potential investment could come from Qatar. Qatar Sport Investments (QSI) and the royal family's Mayhoola for Investments are apparently in the mix, while there is also reported interest from Mubadala Development Company and Adia, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.