Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Club Must Wise Up on Daniele De Rossi Bid

Just when you think David Moyes and Ed Woodward couldn't possibly get any more odd with their transfer business, they decide to make a late move for Roma's Daniele De Rossi.

The move itself isn't all that bad. In fact, if United could pull it off, it would be a brilliant purchase.

It's surprising because he's a name hardly mentioned with Manchester United all summer. Now they're reportedly making a £10 million bid for the midfielder (h/t Corrierre dello Serra via the Express' Ben Jefferson):

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Reports in Italy suggest that United approached Roma with the bid to bring De Rossi to England but the Italian international rejected a move after developing a good relationship with new boss Rudi Garcia.

According to Corrierre della Serra De Rossi would have been open to a move earlier in the summer but has come to appreciate the work of French boss Garcia and promised him that he would stay in Rome during the club's tour of America.

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A few weeks ago, De Rossi said he might be willing to leave Roma, but only for a foreign club (h/t Goal's Henry Jackson):

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Had I left Roma in the past or if I leave in the future then I would go for an experience abroad. I feel like an integral part of Roma and Roma are an integral part of my life, but if I was to go then I would not play for another Italian side out of respect to the club. I would move to a foreign outfit.

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Something has apparently changed regarding De Rossi's attitude, though it would be difficult to pry him away from the Stadio Olimpico before September 2. Nor can you blame his loyalty to Roma as it would be tempting to become the club legend that Francesco Totti has.

Manchester United certainly aren't going to lure him away from Roma with a £10 million bid. Just what were the club thinking when they reportedly made that offer?

Although De Rossi is 30 years old, he's the best defensive midfielder in the world, and he's been with Roma his entire senior-level career.

If a club wants to buy him, they will have to make an offer which is reasonable for a player of his level, and pay that bit extra to make it worth his while to leave the only club he's really known and for Roma to part with one of their biggest stars.

De Rossi can provide the vital defensive midfield qualities the club have needed for years. And yet United's strategy has been to seriously underbid with just days left in the transfer window.

Moyes and Woodward appear happy enough just to be linked with big-name transfers rather than actually pulling them off.

It is similar to what Arsenal are doing. They make low-ball offers and then seem aggrieved when their offers are turned down.

There's a difference between making a bid so as not to overpay for a player and making a bid that has zero chance of succeeding. It's as if Manchester United are trying to actively torpedo their own transfer business.

It is similar to when United offered a combined £28 million for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines. There was no way Everton were going to accept a bid like that, just as there's no chance Roma would accept £10 million for De Rossi.

Moyes and Woodward need to decide if they're truly going to pursue the Italian midfielder. If they are, they must get realistic with their transfer offers. Otherwise, they'll continue making foolish bids and do nothing to help improve the image that Woodward is more concerned with business ventures and the bottom line.

Signing De Rossi is a no-brainer and would be the kind of signing that would promote Manchester United's Champions League chances. It's a shame they are their own worst enemy.