Manchester United Transfer News: Kevin Strootman Tipped to Signal Juan Mata Exit

Manchester United's midfield ace Juan Mata could be sacrificed in the near future to finance a deal to bring Kevin Strootman to Old Trafford.

Samuel Luckhurst of The Manchester Evening News writes Louis van Gaal is "keen to be reunited" with his former Netherlands anchor, but will have to sell Spain international Mata—with a move to Sevilla mooted.

Luckhurst also quotes Van Gaal biographer, Hugo Borst, speaking to TalkSport about the relationship between the Roma player and United manager, saying the pair have already discussed a deal to bring Strootman to the Premier League:

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In the spring of 2014 there was a match between PSV and Feyenoord. Robin van Persie was in the stands, along with Louis van Gaal. On the other side was Kevin Strootman. The pair chatted, this was when people knew Van Gaal was going to Manchester United.

Van Gaal asked Strootman whether he was interested in playing for Manchester United, and he said he was very willing. They have shaken hands on the deal. It won’t be in January but it will be next summer. He is an outstanding player.

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Strootman's stock exploded after his move to Serie A, following a string of exceptional performances for the Rome club. But a serious knee injury forced him out of LvG's World Cup plans and the player has only recently returned to first-team duties.

Mata and Strootman are very different types of midfielders, and Van Gaal clearly needs a box-to-box enforcer—a role the Dutch player executes with ease.

But Mata's personal form has improved in the last few matches for United and he is starting to look comfortable in his Old Trafford skin.

Mata's record has also been good in recent weeks, with Luckhurst highlighting his goals have won United seven points this season.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

He has scored four times and assisted once during the current Premier League campaign, per WhoScored.com, a strong record for a player who has found himself rooted to the bench for periods.

David McDonnell of the Mirror says Mata's former club Sevilla are in the hunt to bring their prodigal son home but United would be "reluctant" to allow the player to leave in January.

However, Van Gaal is ruthless in his squad building and Strootman will be the top of his priority list in the next two transfer windows.

ESPN football writer Musa Okwonga thinks Van Gaal should definitely acquire Strootman and team him up with Ander Herrera in his midfield:

Ivan Sekretarev/Associated Press

Strootman is indeed a world-class operator but losing Mata will mean yet another attacking midfielder has failed at United. Shinji Kagawa arrived in the north west with a big reputation and high expectations, only to be played out of position—seeing his form crash.

Mata has also suffered a similar path to Kagawa's but it seems he is rising to the challenge at present. But if LvG decides Wayne Rooney is going to be his long-term No. 10, Mata's role at United becomes obsolete.

Van Gaal needs a physical presence in the centre and Strootman will not come cheap. United will certainly make a loss on their once-record transfer if Mata leaves but it could expedite a deal to obtain Strootman.

Mata would be a sorry loss for the Premier League as, on his day, he is one of the true artists plying his trade in England, but Van Gaal's sole focus is on creating a stronger United.