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ESPN staff 8y

Roma's Francesco Totti contacted by New York Cosmos - Giovanni Savarese

The New York Cosmos have reached out to Francesco Totti in hopes of bringing the Roma legend to the United States, coach Giovanni Savarese confirmed on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old's current contract is up for renewal this summer, and discussions are ongoing over whether the career-long Roma midfielder will be back next season.

The former Italy international has expressed to the club his desire to return. Though if a new deal can't be worked out, the NASL's Cosmos are interested in bringing him New York.

Savarese told Tribalfootball.com: "What I can say about that situation is that first of all, I think anyone, any coach, any organisation, any club in the world would be interested in a player like Totti, that kind of player that is loyal to an organisation.

"It's not many players who can say they spent their entire career with a club and be so successful like Totti has. I think you can talk about Raul and a few other players like Maldini who spent their entire life with the same organisation.

"I think he's one anybody would love to have on their team. There has been for sure a contact. There has been a conversation, but that would be the max I'd be able to say right now. We don't like to talk to players who are not our players. He's a Roma-signed player. Definitely there has been a contact, but nothing else."

Former Real Madrid star Raul and ex-Villarreal and Spain international Marcos Senna recently ended illustrious professional careers with the Cosmos. 

The duo combined to help the club to the 2015 NASL title before riding off into the sunset.

"When you arrive in Rome and say that Totti is the light over Rome's skyline, because it never goes out, then I would say that still applies today because Francesco's still not gone out," Sabatini said.

"I asked him 'do you want to quit while you're still at the top, or maybe do it after?' and he told me that he wants to carry on playing because he feels he can still do it.

"He's got an almost adolescent love for football. Francesco believes that his technical, dynamic and physical attributes can stand the test of time. He's got a real passion for football.

"It's not true that we haven't spoken about it yet -- Pallotta spoke with Totti months ago."

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