For the last year of so, Manchester United have been strongly linked to Roma’s superstar midfielder, Kevin Strootman. I suppose we shouldn’t be too surprised: he’s been nicknamed ‘The Dutch Roy Keane’ after all.
There were some who had hoped that Strootman would move to Old Trafford during the summer, but a long-term injury that he picked up last season (which meant that he missed out on the World Cup), scuppered any opportunity for The Red Devils to close the deal.
But there is some good news. The Metro claim that a January moved for Kevin Strootman has been ‘mooted’. Unfortunately, there’s also some bad news. Check out these quotes from Roma’s director of footballer, Walter Sabatini:
‘How much is Strootman worth? There’s no price for him because he’s not for sale. He’ll be our big mid-season signing [when he returns from injury]. We’ve had to make do without a magnificent footballer these last few months.’
Goodness me. Walter Sabatini seems to be channeling the spirit of Arsene Wenger, when he speaks of a player returning from injury as being like a new signing. Either way, he clearly has a lot of admiration for Strootman. This provides further evidence that he’s a player worthy of being pursued (if further evidence were needed).
Manchester United fans will be disappointed to see Roma rule out the sale of Kevin Strootman. Still, there’s no point giving up on the chase yet. Manchester United have the cash, reputation and wherewithal to force a deal into existence.
Louis Van Gaal knows the player well from his time as the head coach of the Dutch international side. The player and the manager already have a decent connection. Perhaps this could be used to Manchester United’s advantage when it comes to negotiations.
At 24-years-old, Kevin Strootman is just about to hit his peak. I’d argue that now is the perfect time for The Red Devils to move in and snap him up. Let’s just hope that Sabatini’s words were just an attempt to raise the player’s price-tag ahead of the inevitable.
What’s your take? Should Manchester United give up on signing Kevin Strootman?
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we must sign him. we need him before any other person, please van gala, ed Woodward need strootman most. he should be the first signing in January please is better than vidal