[Morrison]

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/jan23d.html

Roma have issued a stern warning to clubs interested in Amantino Mancini. "Our jewels are not to be touched," said sporting director Daniele Prade’.

Mancini has been in sensational form since returning from injury, scoring four goals in three matches and sparking speculation that Juventus want to sign the South American.

Having already lost Antonio Cassano to Real Madrid, however, Roma are in no mood to be stripped of another of their prize assets.

"Our jewels are not to be touched," said Prade’. "Mancini and the rest are all part of our project for the future."

Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti, who is also winning over the Giallorossi faithful having now masterminded five consecutive League wins, agreed Mancini would be going nowhere and expressed anger at any such suggestion.

"First Cassano and now Mancini," he said. "It would appear that everyone is leaving, but that simply isn’t the case and all the talk is unsettling for a young player like him.

"Mancini played very well in the left forward position," added Spalletti. "But the match was won by the team, which is showing a lot of character at the moment."

For his part, the player claimed he would not let any of the transfer talk affect him, but it will not have gone unnoticed by the likes of Juve that the midfielder did not dismiss out of hand any prospect of a move.

"I cannot leave," said the Brazilian whose contract lasts until 2009. "It’s normal that when a footballer is playing well clubs will be interested

"But I’m ignoring everything that’s going on off the pitch – I’m just thinking about playing.

"Certainly, if Roma were made a big offer, we could talk about it…"

Inter and Real Madrid have also been associated with the former Venezia flop over the last 24 months.