Manchester United Transfer News: Kevin Strootman '1 Step Away' as Rumours Grow

Manchester United are set to sign long-term Roma target Kevin Strootman in the January transfer window, according to Italian agent Matteo Materazzi.

FIFA agent Materazzi is confident the long-rumoured deal for the defensive midfielder is set to go ahead in the new year with the Red Devils paying £32 million for the 24-year-old Dutchman, per Rai (h/t the Daily Star's Colin Harvey): "Manchester are one step away from Kevin Strootman. The British club will pay €40m [£32m] into the coffers of the Giallorossi [Roma]."

United boss Louis van Gaal has reportedly long been interested in bringing his former Dutch international charge to Old Trafford, but Roma have quashed the rumours on several occasions, per Italian radio station Radio Anch'Io Lo Sport (via Sky Sports).

Strootman has only just returned from a long-term knee injury which saw him miss the summer's World Cup, and according to Italian football expert James Horncastle, he is still a long way from true match fitness:

However, if Materazzi is proved correct, it is still an excellent transfer for United considering Strootman's obvious quality and the fact he is likely to improve even further with a great deal of his career still remaining.

The Dutch international is very strong defensively and works very effectively in interrupting opposition attacks. United's back line still looks weak, and the addition of Strootman would bring an extra level of protection.

He is also a strong distributor of the ball and can pass out from deep to begin attacks, contributing five goals and six assists in Serie A last season, per WhoScored.com.

United currently have good options in the middle of the park, especially in the shape of Michael Carrick, who has been excellent this season and was recently described by former Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson as "the best central midfielder in English football," per BT Sport (h/t the Press Association).

However, Carrick is 33 and cannot have too many years left at the top of the game, and Strootman's addition would bring greater quality and necessary depth to United's midfield.

As proven in the summer, the Old Trafford outfit are clearly not afraid to spend big as they attempt to reaffirm their past dominance in the Premier League, with Andy Brassell discussing United's other potential January targets with B/R UK's Ryan Bailey below:

While the big summer deals for United were largely in strengthening the attack, Strootman's purchase would be a step towards bolstering the defence and would move the Red Devils closer still to joining Europe's elite once again.