Man United set to return with summer bid for Roma star
Published:
David Moyes is poised to make a summer bid for Roma’s Kevin Strootman after failing to land the Dutch ace during the January transfer window.
Reports emerged earlier this week that the champions had a bid rejected by the Serie A outfit, with the Giallorossi scoffing at United’s €25m valuation.
Strootman arrived at the Stadio Olimpico from PSV in the summer and has taken well to life in Italy, having put in a number of dazzling displays in his debut campaign.
Roma currently lie second in Serie A, four points clear of third-placed Napoli with a game in hand, and this is in no small part down to five goals and as many assists from the Dutchman.
While United’s initial interest was rebuffed, Moyes has been encouraged to return with a bid closer to €40m in the summer in order to prize the 23-year-old away from the Italian capital.
Strootman is just one name on a long list of potential United targets with Moyes also said to be monitoring the situations of Toni Kroos, Marcus Reus and Paul Pogba and with Liverpool and Arsenal also keen on the Roma man a battle could soon be underway.
However, Moyes will be encouraged by the recent comments of former PSV coach Dick Advocaat, who claimed that Strootman to United is a very likely outcome.
The 66-year-old recently told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagbladthat he was surprised by Strootman’s decision to move to Italy.
“I do not think he will stay at Roma that long. If Kevin is at this level, he will be plucked away. And then it will be a team of the calibre of Manchester United,” he said.
United are now priced at 13/2 to secure a top four finish after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham last time out.
Moyes has an immediate opportunity to lay that result to rest by completing a league double over Arsenal, but with the Red Devils priced as 12/5 underdogs, Champions League qualification – and the ability to attract players of Strootman’s quality – could soon be a thing of the past at Old Trafford.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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