Louis van Gaal has been told he will have to make a ‘stupid’ offer to sign long-time target Kevin Strootman from Roma Manchester United will have to make a "stupid" offer to sign long-time target Kevin Strootman from Roma, the Italian club have stated.
James Pallotta, the Roma president, said that only a huge bid would be considered for the Dutch midfielder, who is wanted by Louis van Gaal, the United manager.
Strootman has been absent for most of this season because of a cruciate ligament injury, but his return to fitness will prompt United’s interest. Van Gaal knows the 24-year-old defensive midfielder’s game from his period as the Holland manager.
Pallotta indicated that Roma would listen to a United offer, but there was not a great deal of encouragement for Van Gaal, should the Dutchman pursue the midfielder.
“We want to put the best team on the pitch, that’s the most important thing. But we’re businessmen. If someone comes in with a stupid number for a player, you have to listen to it. You can’t just say ‘no, no matter what’,” Pallotta said, in an interview with Bleacher Report. “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. You’re running a team, so you have to look at what’s best for everyone, not just one individual. That’s the way the world works.”
It is understood that Roma would want as much as £77 million for the midfielder, who cost just under £15 million when he moved from PSV Eindhoven two years ago.
United have invested heavily in their squad since Van Gaal’s appointment, spending just over £150 million in the past six months, but there is still mor rebuilding to be done.
As well as Strootman, United continue to be linked with their former midfielder Paul Pogba and Palermo striker Paulo Dybala. Pogba left Old Trafford for Juventus after a high-profile fall-out with Sir Alex Ferguson. The player blames the former manager for his departure but says he still has feelings for the club.
“I’m impatient,” Pogba, 21, told FourFourTwo magazine. “It was the feeling I had. The coach [Ferguson] had faith in me but didn’t put me on. He said that I was too young. He said ‘your time will come’ but it never did. But it does not mean I will speak ill of Manchester United. I love the club.”
Dylaba, a 21-year-old Argentine, has been hailed at the new Sergio Agüero, having scored nine goals in 17 appearances this season. But Palermo’s president, Maurizio Zamparini, will not talk about any potential sale until the summer. “Dybala is worth over €40 million [£31 million] but I won’t sell him until June,” Zamparini said. “Many foreign clubs asked after him, including Manchester United.
“I told the English side that he is not for sale right now, but we can talk about it again in six months. In my view, he is the best striker in Europe at the moment.”
One of United’s most expensive signings, Ángel di María, has appealed for patience as Van Gaal reshapes his squad. The defeat against Southampton last weekend was a reality check, a reminder that the first priority is a return to the Champions League before United can think of challenging for the title again.
“From the start of the season to now, you can see that we’ve grown,” Di María said. “We weren’t so great at the beginning but we’ve started getting a few victories.
“There are some people saying that we’re not playing in a particularly good style or that it’s not the old Manchester United – but it’s not.
“We’re beginning something new here. We’ve got a new style, we’ve got a new manager and we’re all working hard to make sure we’re putting Manchester United back where it belongs. We’re focusing on growing as a team, working hard and getting as many points as we can.
“We all know the Premier League is difficult, but all we’re focusing on now is meeting our objectives and our targets for the year.
“So whether it’s qualifying for the Champions League, making sure that we do well in the FA Cup or getting as high in the league as possible, these are things we are going for now.”
By Chris Bascombe, Telegraph
