The Italian club's president Tommaso Ghirardi claims to have made an enquiry about the availability of the 20-year-old, who spent five months on loan with the Serie A team last season.
"We spoke with the player, with the Manchester United chief executive 1/8David Gill3/8 and with Sir Alex Ferguson, too," said Ghirardi. "Now it's up to them to give us an answer."
The Parma supremo accepts it will not be easy to secure Rossi's services but insists the offer he has made United is fair.
"Certainly, it would be really difficult to keep the player, but we believe in this," Ghirardi said.
"From a financial point of view, we made our offer and I think it completely answers Manchester's expectations."
What do you think? Have your say.
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bobbydazzler (26/06/2007 at 12:23)
Hilton (26/06/2007 at 12:24)
How about we sell them Smith instead.
Mike (26/06/2007 at 12:27)
JonyB-), North Staffs (26/06/2007 at 12:28)
Mick, Dublin (26/06/2007 at 12:29)
Every other report on this story provides the entire quote, including the crucial last sentence: "Certainly it would be really difficult to keep the player, but we believe in this"
In other words, Ghirardi knows full well that this bid might be doomed from the outset and is preparing fans of Parma for this bid to be snubbed. And it will be, I'm sure of it.
The Red Baron, Here, there, and everywhere (26/06/2007 at 12:35)
He seems to be just the sort of player we'd be linked with if he wasn't already ours. Can't get my head round this one at all.
Patrick McLOUGHLIN, North Carolina, USA (26/06/2007 at 12:44)
Anthony, Hamilton,Ontario,Canada (26/06/2007 at 13:00)
edinburgh red, edinburgh (26/06/2007 at 13:05)
Michio, County Louth (26/06/2007 at 13:08)
Michio, County Louth (26/06/2007 at 13:23)
This is only a thought but maybe Fletch gets more games because he's a midfielder. An error by a defender or a forward gets much more attention because of the possible deficit (a goal against or a miss). A midfielder can get away with more errors because the defenders are behind them to help out and, if they miss a chance, they can be forgiven as it's not their sole responsibility. There's also the simple fact that we haven't had a surfeit of midfielders in recent years. He worked well enough as Keane's water carrier and was relatively good last season when called upon. I tend to cringe more with Richardson's name on the team sheet, or when O'Shea gets picked for centre midfield.
Dave P, Manchester (26/06/2007 at 13:24)
Maybe the grass is greener and it ain't as great as the fans think on the inside ?
Dave-K, ex-Cheadle (26/06/2007 at 13:27)
george (26/06/2007 at 13:32)
JonyB-), North Staffs (26/06/2007 at 13:36)
Steve in Brussels (26/06/2007 at 13:36)
"Also, from a financial point of view, we made our offer and I think it completely answers Manchester's expectations.
"Certainly it would be really difficult to keep the player, but we believe in this."
So they lodge a bid that they believe United will grab with 2 hands and then negate it by saying it will be very difficult to keep him. Latin business/politics to placate the fans. They reluctantly allowed us to take him for free a few years ago and now have had him 'home' again so cannot be seen to let him slip from their grasp again without having a go.
Why would Fergie turn down a 4.5m bid from Barca a year ago before he got 1st team football and then accept a slightly higher bid after he proves himself in Serie A? Plus Fergie has raved about him like no other youngster coming through the ranks in years. Doesn't add up to me.
SIMON., DERRY, N. IRELAND. (26/06/2007 at 13:42)
Oh and where's Frank with his Picture Caption Competition for the pic used in the summit comments page, don't know what anyone else is thinking but Louis certainly looks like he's enjoying himself so how about "Noo Rossi, I'm not finished yet!!!" lol
Support the Team and Live the Dream.....
Roy (26/06/2007 at 13:42)
Steve, Glossop (26/06/2007 at 13:50)
Robbo, North Stand (26/06/2007 at 13:56)
Andy P, Wythenshawe, Manchester (26/06/2007 at 14:04)
Mike - you are one sad boring man.
Andy Bergen, Bergen, Norway (26/06/2007 at 14:06)
First of all, why sell our talents? We have a player of great promise who's been at the club a few years, speaks the language and seems happy to fight for his place, sp why sell him?
Secondly, why would we sell at less than 15-20m? Rossi played 19 games in Serie A, scoring nine and providing four assists. He's young, and this was his first decent run in a first team, and a bottom side as well. His stats compares well to anyone except Totti in last seasons Serie A, so this is NOT a player we want to rid ourselves of.
When it comes to Guðjohnsen, I fail to see why so many are opposed to him. Here's a player who fits our system with his movement and passing, a real teamplayer. He's fairly big and strong, 185 cm/83 kg (approx 6'1), already knows the PL, the area and has won the title in his two last seasons in England. His stats in England are Bolton 55/18 & Chelsea 186/54. Given some of these are substitue appearances, he scores approx in every third game, not bad for someone who's not an out and out goalgetter. If he played 36 games that would give him ca 12 goals (not including a bonus for us creating more chances than Bolton and Chelsea), which puts him alongside Keane, Kuyt, Yakubu, Anelka and Martins. So if Barca is ready to sell him for 8m, I'd say he's a good purchase who would give us four good years of service.
Michael Kennedy (26/06/2007 at 14:07)
DENNIS LAWS BACK HEEL (26/06/2007 at 14:15)
(local lad eh!)
lets get it right, if he is that gifted he would be in the side with the rest of the scank. he's as talented as luke chadwick.
in my humble opinion.
Gerry, Glastonbury (26/06/2007 at 14:19)
I don't think United should sell because that makes no sense but Rossi himself will feel he needs first team football and that his career is being held back, if not next season then certainly by the following season.
If United buy another striker then it's very difficult to see how Rossi will get a look in? Perhaps another loan spell at best?