Kevin Strootman Transfer Rumours: Latest News and Buzz on Roma Star

AS Roma may have ruled out a January sale of star midfielder Kevin Strootman, but according to sources inside Manchester United, the Giallorossi could be open to a deal following their exit from the UEFA Champions League.    

As reported by ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney, Old Trafford insiders know the clubs have been talking about a potential transfer at the end of the current campaign, and the loss of revenue due to the Italians' early elimination from the Champions League could speed up the process:

"

The knee injury Strootman picked up not only ruled him out of the World Cup but also precluded any immediate possibility of a transfer following Van Gaal's appointment, although it had been anticipated at Old Trafford that a deal would eventually take place at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.

There had been extensive preliminary discussions between all parties, but Roma's initial positive results in the Champions League had meant they were totally unwilling to do business in January. [...]

Now, United sources have told ESPN FC that they may be able to push the deal through in January, and Roma will be more ready to negotiate despite their public statements to the contrary. Strootman could cost upwards of 30 million pounds.

"

The 24-year-old Dutch midfielder has only just returned to the pitch following a devastating knee injury that forced him to miss the 2014 World Cup, and he was left on the bench for Roma's 2-0 loss against Manchester City.

He's been linked with a move to the Red Devils ever since Louis van Gaal took over as manager, and following Roma's exit from the Champions League, speculation intensified.

General manager Mauro Baldissoni told Sky Sports any move in January is off the table, however:

"

This is something I'm reading every day. It is also something our president doesn't like to read every day.

He made a statement a few weeks ago saying Kevin was not for sale but, to be fair, we haven't received any call from Manchester. We do not plan to sell him. [...]

'I don't have a clue. This is something you should ask Van Gaal or Mr (Ed) Woodward but we don't think we will sell our best players. Kevin is also young, not only a good player, he is a young player and we have a very long contract so we want to build our team around him.'

"

Delaney's sources say the clubs have been talking, however, and a January move is very much a possibility.

The emergence of Belgium's Radja Nainggolan means Roma have the talent in midfield to cope with the loss of Strootman, who has hardly featured this season anyhow.

The knee injury messes up the timeline, however. Strootman hasn't had the chance to prove he's fully healthy yet, and it will take time to determine whether he can return back to the level he played at in 2013. A summer move still appears more likely, and according to The Peoples Person, the fans agree:

Spending £30 million on a player who isn't yet healthy enough to feature in Roma's most important match of the season, against City, is a risky proposition.

United may be desperate for an enforcer in midfield, but in the case of Strootman, prudence is advised.