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United need ‘stupid’ offer to get Strootman

LONDON — Manchester United will have to make a “stupid” offer to sign their long-time target Kevin Strootman from AS Roma, the Italian club have stated.

The return of Strootman (right) to fitness this season will prompt United’s interest in signing him.  Photo: Getty Images

The return of Strootman (right) to fitness this season will prompt United’s interest in signing him. Photo: Getty Images

LONDON — Manchester United will have to make a “stupid” offer to sign their long-time target Kevin Strootman from AS 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 manager of the Netherlands’ national side.

Pallotta indicated that Roma would listen to a United offer, but did not give Van Gaal a great deal of encouragement.

“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.

“I don’t want Kevin to go, but if someone offers a huge amount, you at least have to listen to them.”

It is understood that Roma would want as much as £77 million (S$155.4 million) for Strootman, who cost just under £15 million when he moved from PSV Eindhoven two years ago.

United have invested heavily since Van Gaal’s appointment, spending just over £150 million in the past six months, but there is more rebuilding to do.

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 fallout with Sir Alex Ferguson. He 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.”

Dybala, a 21-year-old Argentine, has been hailed as the new Sergio Aguero, having scored nine goals in 17 appearances this season. But — Palermo’s president, Maurizio Zamparini, will not talk about any 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.”

One of United’s most expensive signings, Angel di Maria, has appealed for patience as Van Gaal reshapes his squad. “From the start of the season to now, you can see that we’ve grown,” Di Maria said.

“We weren’t so great at the beginning, but we’ve started getting a few victories. 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 United back where it belongs.” THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

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