Manchester City's hunt for Danielle De Rossi ended prematurely after the Roma midfielder pledged his immediate future to the Italian club.
De Rossi was targeted by Roberto Mancini as the perfect addition to the City ranks, with the Italian international capable of playing in a variety of positions. City were reportedly lining up a bid in excess of £30 million for the 29-year-old, with Roma ready to reluctantly accept the offer, before the player stepped in.
"People have written all sorts of things, about me, about Mancini," de Rossi told reporters. "Some of it makes me laugh. Some of it makes me angry.
"I can tell you the truth. I came to do a classic press conference before the season. I wanted to make a clarification.
"What I can promise everyone is that the day I want to leave Roma -- whether to win the Champions League or make more money -- I will say so in public.
"This is a normal press conference for me, not the announcement of the Third World War. For me it's important to say my piece. I am here at Roma, I'm happy and never asked to leave.
"I don't know if the club still want to sell me. Guessing they count on me since they gave me huge contract in February. Ask them."
Mancini has endured a frustrating summer, losing out on the likes of Eden Hazard and Robin Van Persie to Chelsea and Manchester United respectively, with the defending English Premier League champions making just one summer signing in Jack Rodwell from Everton.
City are, however, reportedly closing in on another British youngster Scott Sinclair. The Swansea City forward has just one year remaining on his current deal, and has refused to sign a new contract with the Welsh club. City have reportedly tabled a bid of a little over £5 million ($7.9 million), with sporting director Brian Marwood confident of completing the signing soon.
Swansea's first-team coach Alan Curtis admitted a move was just a matter of time. "He's been terrific for us, to be fair -- we've had two seasons out of him and he was superb in the Championship and virtually his goals got us promotion," Curtis said.
"And last year as well he wasn't maybe quite as effective as he was his first year -- obviously it was a lot tougher opposition -- but he's been absolutely magnificent.
"Like Joe (Allen) we wish him all the best, but as long as the club keeps pushing forward that's the main thing.
"It obviously gives Scott the chance to settle in at his new club and it gives us the opportunity to buy a replacement for Scott."
Meanwhile, Sunderland are closing in on the signing of City winger Adam Johnson, after reportedly tabling a £10 million ($15.6 million) bid.
