The Romanian defender has been linked with a number of clubs over the past few months including AC Milan and Barcelona, but Real Madrid are the latest to express their desire in signing him after Real's newly elected president Roman Calderon named the 25-year-old as part of his new signings shortlist.

"It's great if Real Madrid are interested in me because it means I must be playing well, but I really want to keep playing for Roma," Chivu was quoted as saying by CalcioItalia magazine on Thursday.

Roma had a very good season under coach Luciano Spalletti who guided the suffering from financial crisis club to fifth spot in the Italian League, and Chivu says he wants to be a part of the good work going on in the team.

"We're going to carry on what we started last term because we're on the right road, last year we had lots of encouragement, but this time we need to do even better," the former Ajax defender said.

Meanwhile, Chivu's Roma are reported to be in the market for a new striker, with Udinese World Cup Italian star Vincenzo Iaquinta and Lecce attacker Mirko Vucinic on their list.