Manchester United reportedly have the upper hand in signing Kevin Strootman after AS Roma are willing to allow their midfielder join the Red Devils.
Manchester United are yet to complete a transfer this summer but they are anxious to strengthen their midfield and have been willing to pay significant amounts to pry away prized talent from other clubs. The Serie A outfit were reluctant in letting the Holland international leave the club this summer. Strootman joined Roma from the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven and had an impressive start to his career in Italy, before injury hampered his progress.
The 24-year-old will be out of action for the next couple of months and miss most of the first half of the next season.
According to the Independent, Roma have changed their mind on Strootman’s stance and are open for their midfielder leave the club and join his national team manager Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager will step down from his post after the World Cup campaign with the Holland national team and will take over the role at Old Trafford.
Strootman has been linked with United since the 62-year-old boss was appointed as the Red Devils manager. Roma have already agreed a deal to sign Seydou Keita from Valencia on a free transfer.
The former Barcelona midfielder is believed to be a replaced for Strootman and have now believed to be losing their position in keeping the Dutch midfielder at the club. Van Gaal is a big fan of the box-to-box midfielder and could join the Dutchman at United.
Strootman has long been a target for United even while their legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge. However, the arrival of David Moyes saw them cool their interest, which saw the midfielder leave PSV and join Roma last summer.
Van Gaal could tempt Strootman join him at Old Trafford and should he join the Red Devils this summer, he will not be able to feature till autumn. If the report is true, it will cost United €35m this summer.
Should the Red Devils fail to land the midfielder this summer, The Guardian reports United will make an approach for Strootman in the January transfer window as he would be fit enough to feature in the first team.
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