Real Madrid chasing Roma midfielder duo

Roma´s midfielder Daniele De Rossi celebrates after scoring a goal flanked by Alberto Aquilani (R) during a match against Inter at San Siro Stadium, 2007. Sports daily Marca reported that Spanish champions Real Madrid are interested in signing De Rossi and Aquilani

      MADRID (AFP) - Spanish champions Real Madrid are interested in signing Roma midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani, sports daily Marca reported Wednesday.

      Real's sports director Pedja Mijatovic was in Rome on Tuesday to "hear from the mouths of the directors of the (Italian) club if they are open to an offer" for these two players, the newspaper said without citing sources.

      Roma are unlikely to let 24-year-old international De Rossi go for less than 30 million euros (47 million dollars), the paper added.

      De Rossi, a product of Roma's youth system, has said he wants to stay with the Italian club "for life".

      Aquilani, 23, is under contract with Roma until June 2009 but he has said he would like to leave the club, where he is one of its least well paid players.

      Earlier this month Roma eliminated Real Madrid from the Champions League, beating the nine-time European champions 2-1 in the first knockout round of the tournament.

      Roma suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester United on Tuesday in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.