Manchester United Transfer News: Neven Subotic Eyed, Latest on Kevin Strootman

Manchester United have reportedly turned their attention towards Borussia Dortmund's Neven Subotic for a potential January transfer after Mats Hummels made it clear he has no interest of moving.

Hummels recently told Bundesliga Magazin International (h/t to the Daily Express' Charles Perrin) he's flattered by the attention of top clubs, but he's more than happy with Dortmund:

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It's nice to hear that big clubs like that are interested in you.

I take that as a compliment. But it doesn't influence me in any way, otherwise. We earn enough here in Dortmund.

There will always be someone who can pay more than BVB. But Dortmund have made a lot of progress during my time here. In any case: I believe that it's enough for me.

"

According to Perrin, his defensive partner Subotic is next on United's list, as Louis van Gaal continues to target Die Schwarzgelben.

The 25-year-old was recently told he won't be a part of Serbia's team for the rest of the Euro 2016 qualification campaign, via Reuters for Yahoo Sports. A strong and physical centre-back, his start to the 2014-15 season hasn't been the greatest, per the New York Times' Stefan Bienkowski:

Subotic makes for a more realistic target than teammate Hummels—but only barely. Dortmund have suffered plenty of injuries early in the current campaign and understand the value of depth all too well, and they'll have no intention of letting the Serb leave unless the offer is significant.

As talented as he is, there's no denying he has benefited from playing with a top defender like Hummels in the past. He may be keen to prove he can be just as good without him and in a different league, but it will take much to pry him away from Dortmund in January.

AS Roma's sporting director Walter Sabatini remains adamant Kevin Strootman is "not available," as the Red Devils continue to be linked with a move for the Dutch midfielder. According to Gianluca Di Marzio's David Amoyal, he blames a single English source for the persistent rumours:

"The player isn’t on the market, these rumors always come for the same source in England. He’s one of our players, we are waiting for him, we always count on him."

Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

The 24-year-old is close to returning from an injury that kept him sidelined for the 2014 World Cup, and if he can prove his fitness before the January window, United are widely expected to lodge a bid for his services.

Their bid could be aided by the phenomenal performances of Radja Nainggolan, Strootman's replacement in the Giallorossi midfield. WhoScored's James Horncastle didn't hide his praise for the Belgium international:

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Those who were in the dark about his skills before can be no longer. Brought to light at Cagliari and then Roma since the spring, Marc Wilmots’ decision to overlook Nainggolan for Belgium’s World Cup squad is now even more glaring. “I still haven’t digested it because I deserved to be in Brazil,” the 26-year-old revealed.

Nainggolan has been Roma’s Player of the Season so far. If the absence of a player as talented and sought after as Kevin Strootman, who is still recovering from knee surgery in March, has not been felt it’s of great credit to the Shinobi they field in his place. When Nainggolan signed much was made of his furtiveness. It was as though he played in an invisibility cloak. One moment an opponent would have the ball. The next he wouldn’t.

"

Nainggolan and Strootman could theoretically coexist in Roma's midfield, but given the team's excellent run of form in the absence of the Dutchman, the right offer for his services could tempt Roma into a sale.

The Red Devils may have brought in talented youngster Luke Shaw during the summer, but according to Kicker (h/t to Metro's Vaishali Bhardwaj), that won't stop them from making another move for Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez.

Gero Breloer/Associated Press

The Swiss international continues to impress for the Bundesliga side and was one of the most underrated performers at the 2014 World Cup. At the young age of 22, he has the potential to develop into a world-class full-back.

As shared by OptaFranz, he has truly been in sensational form of late:

StatsBomb's Ted Knutson is also a big fan:

Shaw's potential is undeniable, but Rodriguez's is just as high. The Swiss defender is a lot further in his development, and given United's struggles early in the 2014-15 season, an impact contributor is needed more than a long-term project like Shaw.

Wolfsburg are a very ambitious club, however, and the Germans won't be willing to sell their most prized asset at a discount. Rodriguez will demand a hefty fee, and with Shaw already at the club, the Red Devils could opt to look elsewhere.

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