Daniele De Rossi's new contract demands are proving too rich for AS Roma's new owners. Corriere dello Sport says with less than a year remaining on his existing deal, De Rossi is demanding €5 million-a-year - Francesco Totti earns €4.8 million-a-year - to re-sign.
Roma's new board will not consider breaking their wage ceiling and have left a €3.5 million-a-year contract offer on the table.
In the meantime, De Rossi's dilemma has alerted the interest of Europe's biggest spenders - including Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
The midfielder would like to continue with Roma, particularly under new coach Luis Enrique, but is disappointed with Roma's offer and convinced he can get his demands met elsewhere.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would jump at the chance of bringing De Rossi to London, particularly after losing Michael Essien for six months to a knee injury.
