Manchester United Target January Move for AS Roma Midfielder Kevin Strootman

Manchester United are reportedly plotting a January move for AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman.

According to the Guardian, Louis van Gaal is readying a bid for the Dutch midfielder, who is currently recovering from a long-term knee injury he sustained last season.

It is believed that even though United were the highest spenders during the recently concluded summer transfer window, where their spending went up to £150.1m, the manager is said to have more funds at his disposal to invest as he wishes.

The former Netherlands manager is still keen on bringing in a top quality midfielder, and has revealed his admiration for Strootman in the past. He is monitoring the progress of the PSV Eindhoven midfielder and will make a move if he is convinced about his fitness during the winter transfer window.

The player is also said to be keen to work under van Gaal, and it is yet to be seen if the Serie A club and the Premier League club can reach an agreement on the fee. The Italians are said to be looking at a fee in the region of £30m for the midfielder.

Strootman's agent Chiel Dekker did confirm United's interest earlier in the summer, but distanced any chance of an immediate move, leaving the door open for the future.

"He is of interest to Louis van Gaal but not related to Manchester United at this point," Dekker told the Guardian.

Owing to the midfielder's injury and the Old Trafford boss' keenness to land an all-action box-to-box midfielder, United were heavily linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal. However, Vidal decided to remain in Turin for at least another season.