[dukeofdavinci]

Agent explains Rocchi row Monday 24 December, 2007

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Tommaso Rocchi’s agent insists his future is at Lazio despite yesterday’s televised bust-up between the player and President Claudio Lotito.

Italian TV cameras caught Rocchi and Lotito have a minor disagreement after the 2-2 draw at Palermo, a tiff which has simply fuelled the transfer rumour mill.

It’s a common fact that talks over Rocchi’s contract extension have stalled and Sunday’s events are seeing the Italian linked with an Olimpico exit.

However, Rocchi’s representative has looked to cool the speculation by explaining what actually occurred at the Stadio Barbera.

“It had nothing to do with his contract at all,” Fabio Parisi noted on Monday morning. “And it’s not true that there is no good feeling between the two.

“Tommaso has said on numerous occasions that he wants to stay at Lazio and that is in the interest of club and player.

“Nothing happened at all. They talked about the game in the changing rooms and then came across each other after the match.

“Lotito wanted to continue discussing the tie, but Rocchi didn’t fancy doing that in front of the TV cameras.”

Monaco, Napoli and Genoa are all thought to be keen on landing the former Empoli player, but Parisi insists that Lazio come first.

“Rocchi wants to be rewarded for his market value and Lazio need to take into account what he can give to them,” the agent continued.

“There are negotiations going on with the club and they are continuing.”

Despite Parisi’s statement, Rocchi’s name will inevitably take up some significant newspaper column inches with the January transfer window set to open.

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