Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Kevin Strootman, Theo Walcott Rumours

Roma will dangle the carrot of their captaincy to Kevin Strootman in a bid to convince him to stay in the Italian capital, with reports suggesting the Giallorossi are ready to offer the Manchester United target a new five-year deal.

According to reports in Italy cited by Tom Collomosse of the London Evening Standard, had it not been for another knee injury suffered by the Dutch midfielder, “there is a good chance he would now be at Old Trafford.” Despite fitness problems, it seems as though Roma are ready to put full faith in the 25-year-old by making him one of the club’s top earners and their long-term leader.

Here’s a look at what Strootman can offer when at his very best:

Louis van Gaal is a known admirer of the former PSV Eindhoven man. During his stint with the Netherlands national team, Van Gaal made Strootman his skipper. Naturally, since the Dutch boss rocked up at Old Trafford—despite the injury problems that have hampered the player—the midfielder has been perennially linked with a move to the Red Devils.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

At his best, Strootman is a wonderful player. His energy, defensive nous and ferocity in the tackle would add plenty to the heart of this United side, while his ability to carry the ball forward and conjure impactful contributions in the final third make him one of the most complete midfield players in European football.

But as we can see here courtesy of the player’s official Twitter account, he’s spent more time in the treatment room that on the pitch as of late:

Indeed, if United do come in with a sizeable offer in the summer, Roma may well consider cashing in. Strootman has played hardly any football for the best part of a year now, and after such a prolonged spell on the sidelines on the back of such a debilitating injury, there’s a chance he may never quite get back to the levels he showcased in the 2013/14 season.

Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images

Adam Digby of FourFourTwo thinks that given the quality of midfield options the Giallarossi currently have, they could afford to cash in on a player in that area too:

From the Red Devils’ perspective, it’s probably best to sit tight in their apparent pursuit of the player. Although Van Gaal possesses an obvious affinity with Strootman, all emotion must be taken out of the equation here, especially given the lack of football the Roma man has played recently. United should re-assess the situation once Strootman has put together a run of regular games.

Theo Walcott Begins Arsenal Negotiations

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the club has started negotiating a new deal with Walcott amid a whirlwind of rumours regarding the player’s future with the Emirates outfit.

Reports have linked the 26-year-old with a potential switch to Old Trafford or Liverpool as of late, per Jamie Sanderson of Metro, but Wenger, speaking with beIN Sports (h/t Charlie Doris of the London Evening Standard), has stated that talks between player and club are in motion.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

“We start to negotiate with Theo to extend his contract,” said Wenger. “Personally I would like to keep him.”

Given Arsenal’s magnificent plethora of attacking midfield options and their exceptional recent league form, Walcott has found it tough to get regular minutes in this Arsenal team at the moment. For Wenger, it’s looking increasingly difficult to accommodate a place in the XI for the England man, and you can bet the player will want reassurances about his playing time before penning a new deal.

Clive Mason/Getty Images

With his current deal set to expire next summer, according to John Cross of the Mirror, that’s exactly what the England man is looking for:

For United supporters, a pursuit of Walcott may do little to stir excitement, especially with names like Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo being bandied about as potential summer targets. Indeed, Bleacher Report’s Thom Gibbs discussed the prospect of either of those two illustrious players coming to Old Trafford:

But Walcott could be a shrewd capture for Van Gaal. In many respects, he’s a player who embodies the age-old United principles: British, blisteringly quick, refreshingly direct and forensically clinical. If the Red Devils could potentially strike a deal that would see Walcott sign on the cheap, he could thrive at Old Trafford, where chances would surely come about much more readily.

Walcott is a popular figure at the Emirates, and his pace gives this Arsenal team a completely different edge. But as he approaches the peak years of his career, he's a player who needs to be getting game time on a much more regular basis. If Walcott doesn't get the requisite reassurances from the club in that respect, then it'd be no surprise to see him go in search of pastures new.