Real Madrid missed boat over Roma's De Rossi

Real Madrid have missed the boat over their pursuit of Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi.

Roma have twice rejected enquiries from Real for the Italy international in the last week as coach Fabio Capello pushes to bring his former protege to Madrid. With Roma now in the Champions League, the capital club insists De Rossi is not for sale.

Marca says it was a different story last December, when Roma actually invited Real to bid for the player - but the Spanish giants declined.