It’s a funny old game. Of all the Manchester United transfer hype before the window opened, the Kevin Strootman thing was at the forefront. Many thought that he was recovering from injury at the perfect rate to make him a prime target for a January move.
But as soon as the window opened the hype surrounding Strootman died down.
What is for sure is that Manchester United manager Louis van Galal doesn’t want to sign any injury risks. After a terrible run of injuries with his squad this season he will want to buy players with the best chance of giving him weekly service. To this end, Strootman may be seen as something of a risk.
President of Strootman’s club AS Roma, James Pallotta, is quoted a saying:
“I do get annoyed. I think the papers have finally given up on the Strootman thing, because Kevin’s come out and addressed it, saying he likes it in Italy and he has a five-year contract,”
But we think that, deep down, the man would be open to seeing the player leave and he could be perceived to have been putting him on the market with his comments that:
“My view is that I don’t want Kevin to go, for example, but if someone offers a huge amount, you at least have to listen to them.”
Just a little reminder that the door is open?
We feel that if Manchester United offered £40m they would get him immediately. But perhaps he has fallen down the list of priorities. Manchester United have Blind and Fellaini back now. Add Carrick, Fletcher and Herrera and you have a decent roster of midfielders. Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney have also been playing in deeper midfield roles this season .
So perhaps the goal posts have moved slightly on this one.
Perhaps Manchester United will wait until the summer and reassess the Strootman deal. The priority now surely has to be a top defender.
