Franco Sensi, Roma's president, were willing to pay 40 million euros, which would be £8million more than they spent on current record signing, Damien Duff.
Chelsea spent over £100million in the summer in transfers, and completed their recruitments with Claude Makelele on deadline day.
The Roma board of directors turned down the offer, and Sensi added that talks over a contract extension with Emerson will begin soon.
Sensi had this to say concerning the transfer offer, "Abramovich offered me 40 million euros and I said no," he said. "I told the player that I would never have sold him and I have assured him that we will extend his contract - he will get what he deserves."
The Roma board of directors turned down the offer, and Sensi added that talks over a contract extension with Emerson will begin soon.