Real Madrid move to beat Man Utd to €30M De Rossi signature

Real Madrid are chasing AS Roma ace Daniele de Rossi as a midfield foil for Xabi Alonso.

Sport says Real are switching their sights to De Rossi after failing to convince Cesc Fabregas about a move to Madrid. The Spaniard has made it clear to intermediaries he will only leave Arsenal for a return to Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Real have already opened tentative talks with Roma over a €30 million deal for De Rossi.

But Roma are willing to wait for rival offers to arrive.

Manchester United chief scout Martin Ferguson made a check on De Rossi on the weekend in victory over Udinese.