Manchester United make Kevin Strootman a £30m January transfer target

Kevin Strootman: Louis van Gaal’s preffered option for the re-build of Manchester United’s midfield

Manchester United have identified Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman as a January transfer target, rather than attempt to sign the Dutch midfielder this summer, report The Guardian.

Strootman signed for Roma last summer, however, after a brilliant start to life in Italy he suffered cruciate ligament damage which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. The Dutch international will miss this summers World Cup after the serious injury he suffered and that has hampered his chances of securing a move elsewhere.

The Red Devils have been chasing Strootman for a number of months and were extremely close to signing the midfield dictator in David Moyes’ ill-fated tenure at the club. However, the 24-year-old opted for a move to Roma where he excelled, before his bad injury.

Louis van Gaal, who would have selected Strootman for this summers World Cup, will take over at United in the summer and has lined up Strootman as one of his targets, however, he has decided to move for him in the January transfer window when he fully recovers from his injury.

Strootman has four years left on the contract he signed last summer, however, van Gaal believes he can lure Strootman in a £30 million move in January 2015.

Strootman’s agent admits that a deal would only happen if Roma were willing to do business.

Chiel Dekker told the Guardian: “He won’t be back playing until autumn – that’s the time schedule at the moment. He is of interest to Louis van Gaal but not related to Manchester United at this point.

“Could be. But he’s in Rome and he had a terrific season. There has been nothing between the clubs or between Louis and Kevin – they know each other and like each other but at this stage its not related to Man United.

“Roma do not want to sell. The first thing is its all between [the] clubs. And its also a very difficult decision because he has to choose between a fantastic club in Rome, a club that bought him and supported him while he was injured and [then] you have his personal coach of the national team at United.

“The clubs have to decide. He’s very happy at Rome, he’s happy to stay because they play Champions League next season, and happy to recover his injury, so at this stage we are not part of any discussion.”