Real Madrid Transfer News: Kevin Strootman Must Be Blancos' January Priority

Real Madrid are reportedly ready to rival Manchester United for the services of AS Roma's Kevin Strootman, and while a deal for the Dutchman appears unlikely, Los Blancos still have to put him at the top of their wish list.

According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t to Marca), Florentino Perez has identified Strootman as his next big signing, despite the Giallorossi's insistence he's not for sale.

Walter Sabatini went out of his way to let the world know, via the club's Twitter feed:

Roma said the same thing just days before Mehdi Benatia made the move to Bayern Munich, so Sabatini's statement shouldn't deter Los Blancos. As long as Serie A lacks the funds to compete with the top leagues, players like Strootman will be available.

The Netherlands international is still recovering from a knee injury that saw him miss the 2014 World Cup, and any potential move would hinge on how he looks once he returns to the pitch. But if he's anything like his old self, Real have to pounce.

The holding midfielder is one of the best box-to-box options on the planet, with the physical ability to do nothing but run for 90 minutes. He has the technical skills to work as a contributor from the centre, but his biggest asset is his physicality in shielding the defence.

He wouldn't be a straight replacement for the recently departed Xabi Alonso­—the Spaniard had a unique skill set, one that will be nearly impossible to replicate. But Strootman could come close.

What he would do is provide more defensive cover than any midfielder currently in the squad, with the exception of the perpetually injured Sami Khedira. And after consecutive La Liga losses, it has become clear Los Blancos need that defensive enforcer badly.

Alonso's quality didn't lie in his physical play or his tackling skills but in his phenomenal positioning. Toni Kroos is an excellent midfielder, but he doesn't read the defensive game the way Alonso does.

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Strootman has built a career on his positioning and defensive work rate. His tireless energy fires up his teammates, which is why he works so well as a midfield engine. Real haven't just lacked his type of defensive presence—they've also lacked a player who will drive them forward, the way Alonso would.

If Strootman is healthy and back to his old form, Real have to launch a bid for his services. The problem is they might already be too late. Louis van Gaal's Manchester United appear to be in the driver's seat for his services and the logical destination for the Dutchman.

As reported by the Daily Mirror's David McDonnell, Strootman has already parted ways with former agent Chiel Dekker and joined Sports Entertainment Group, the same company that helped facilitate Robin van Persie's move to the Red Devils.

A reunion with Van Gaal makes too much sense, and United's bid is helped by the fact they have a clear opening in their squad for Strootman. Real wouldn't be able to promise the midfielder he'd be an immediate and regular starter—the Red Devils would.

The Mancunians have the clear advantage in the race for Strootman, but Los Blancos still have to try. Their team is missing someone who will do the dirty work in the centre of the pitch, and there are few better at it than the Roma engine.

Real have tons of attacking firepower and a solid back four, but without that one pivotal piece linking them together, they've struggled early in 2014-15. A healthy Strootman could be the solution, and he should be the No. 1 priority once the transfer market reopens.

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