La Gazzetta dello Sport has revealed that De Rossi's recent contract extension - which saw the Italy international sign a new deal until mid-2017 - will earn him 5.4 million pounds a year.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was the previous highest paid Italian in Serie A, is currently on an annual salary of 5m pounds.

De Rossi is not the Italian league's top earner yet following his recent pay rise, as AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic earns 7.5m pounds per year plus bonuses.

Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder is believed to be on 5m pounds per season.