Liverpool deny Mancini interest

Liverpool Coach Rafa Benitez has declared that the Reds are not interested in Roma winger Amantino Mancini. The Brazilian is contracted to the Coppa Italia winners until 2009 and has reportedly been using the Premiership outfit’s interest to try to break through the Giallorossi’s £1.7m salary cap.

His agent Gilmar Veloz declared on Sunday that the English side was still keen on signing his client and that he had told Benitez that he needed to deal directly with the capital city club.“I was reading stories about Mancini.

I can say that Liverpool will not be offering any money for this player,” said the Liverpool Coach on Monday.The player, who was targeted by Benitez earlier this summer before the club signed Ryan Babel, is allegedly eager to improve his wage and would like to earn at least £2m per season.

Mancini currently earns just under £1m per year and his agent is expected to meet Roma officials shortly, when he will ask for the salary increase which had been promised to the player two years ago. (Channel 4)