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Francesco Totti to take up Roma technical director role 'soon'

Francesco Totti has confirmed he is about to become a Roma director after meeting with club president James Pallotta.

The Giallorossi prepared a six-year contract for the 40-year-old when they announced that he would not be given another playing deal, but Totti has not rushed to commit yet.

He met with Pallotta in a Rome hotel on Thursday and confirmed afterwards that an agreement was in place.

"I've not signed yet and I'm not yet a Roma director, but I will soon become one," Totti said after emerging from the meeting.

He is set to become the club's technical director with new head coach Eusebio Di Francesco already looking forward to his arrival.

"I've got to say that I'd be delighted to have him close by because he can give us added value for his knowledge, in addition to his personality," said the former Sassuolo coach upon being presented by Roma earlier this month. "Having people who know the environment here can help me in reading many situations."

Totti made 618 Serie A appearances for Roma, scoring 250 goals. He played alongside Di Francesco in Roma's last Serie A-winning side in 2001.

After their meeting, Pallotta spoke at greater length with reporters, confirming to them that neither Radja Nainggolan nor Kostas Manolas will be leaving this summer.

"They're not going anywhere," he said. "If we sell, it is for one of two reasons: one, because Financial Fair Play forces us to remain within certain parameters.

"And the second is if we can make money on a player that we believe we can invest in players who are better than those who leave.

"I think we've got the best midfield in Italy, for sure. We can improve in defence, but we will complete that area with a few new signings, and then [Alessandro] Florenzi is back and he will give us a hand. We're looking to sign two more forwards."