Manchester United Transfer News: Roma State Desire to Keep Kevin Strootman

Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their reported desire to sign Kevin Strootman in the January transfer window with Roma insisting that he is not for sale.   

The 24-year-old Dutch midfielder is currently recovering from a long-term knee injury but has been heavily linked with a move to rejoin his former national team manager, Louis van Gaal, at Old Trafford in the new year, per talkSPORT.

However, Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has seemingly ruled out a possible Strootman departure, saying the Serie A side are dedicated to keeping him, per Michael Bell of Football Oranje:

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Man United wants Strootman? Could be their idea, but we want to keep Kevin. He’s important player for us. He is an extraordinary player, and these rumours have been based on the desires of other clubs. We want to keep him, he is our point of strength. We hope to see him back in the field with all his powers. He played an exemplary role last season.

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Strootman is widely regarded as one of the best central midfielders in the world—an area United desperately need to strengthen—with the ability to contribute in both defence and attack.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

His passing is excellent and he contributed five goals and six assists in 25 Serie A performances for Roma last season, per WhoScored.com.

Reports have emerged recently that the former PSV player has switched to the same agent as current United striker and fellow Dutchman Robin van Persie, perhaps an indication that he is looking to force a move to Old Trafford, per sports writer Kevin Palmer:

Mark Ogden in the The Telegraph recently reported that Van Gaal was looking to buy Strootman in January for £25 million.

That is a very reasonable figure for a player of such quality, but it now looks an overly modest sum considering Sabatini's comments.

It is likely that a truly large offer could persuade Roma to part company with their prized asset, and United should be prepared to pay big as they need a player of quality in Strootman's position, per The Telegraph's Henry Winter:

However, after a summer in which the Red Devils spent over £150 million on transfers, per David McDonnell in the Mirror, they may be less inclined to spend big again in January.  

What is in no doubt is that Roma will not be letting Strootman go easily and the Manchester outfit have a job on their hands to bring him to the club.