Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini hasn't given up on prising Daniele de Rossi away from AS Roma.
In Italy on the weekend, Mancini made sure to make a check on De Rossi against Sampdoria after learning that new Roma coach Aurelio Andreazzoli intended to start with the midfielder.
De Rossi has had a difficult campaign this season after falling out with former coach Zdenek Zeman and remains on Mancini's radar, despite signing new terms last year.