Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has quickly cooled talk of takeover interest in Italian giants Roma.

Roma's share price rocketed by around eight per cent on Monday in the wake of widespread reports in the country that Hicks had held talks with Roma president Franco Sensi about buying a majority shareholding.

However, Hicks' spokesman Roy Winnick insists the speculation is wide of the mark.

"There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in the rumour that Mr Hicks is even considering investing in Roma football club," Winnick said.

Earlier in the day, Roma's controlling shareholder Italpetroli released a statement on Roma's official website saying the company had "been informed by a third party of the possible interest of an American businessman wanting to invest in AS Roma's capital".

The statement added: "As of yet, Italpetroli has not received, directly or indirectly, any interest nor offer from such investor, with the object of acquiring the majority package of AS Roma."