AS Roma say they're edging closer to securing Daniele de Rossi to a new contract.

The midfielder's current deal expires in June 2012, so in theory De Rossi could already begin talks for a free transfer in January.

"The answer is always the same," general manager Claudio Fenucci told Roma Channel.

"The club has made an offer, there is a request from the player and there are still a few differences to be whittled down. But there are no day to day new developments.

"Neither we nor Daniele want to talk so often about these negotiations. We are pressured by the media who always want news, but we'd prefer to work quietly behind the scenes."