Manchester United target Kevin Strootman has told the press that he has no interest in leaving current club Roma during the winter transfer window, as reported by the Daily Express.

The Old Trafford club are said to be lining up a £32 million bid for the Dutch midfielder this month.

This follows on from constant links in the press between Strootman and Man Utd, with Louis van Gaal thought to be a big fan of the 24 year old midfielder.

Van Gaal is thought to be hopeful of a reunion with Strootman in the near future, with the two having worked closely when Van Gaal was in charge of the Netherlands.

In fact, Strootman’s injury prior to the World Cup meant that Van Gaal completely rejigged his formation for the competition in Brazil.

While Man Utd expect to make a £32 million move, the ex-PSV Eindhoven midfielder has expressed his desire to stay at Roma.

Manchester United are set to complete a £32 million deal for Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman in January, according to Italian agent Matteo Materazzi.

The agent believes that a deal for the Dutch midfielder, who has spent the majority of the last year on the sidelines, is all but done, with Man Utd set to finally capture their man.

The Old Trafford club have been consistently chasing a deal for Strootman since the arrival of Louis van Gaal as manager at the end of last season.

However, a deal could not be pushed through in the summer months, primarily due to the serious knee injury which Strootman suffered in March this year.

As a result, he was unavailable to Van Gaal at the summer’s World Cup in Brazil, when the Netherlands finished third in the competition.

Italian outlet Rai have been told by Materazzi that a deal is imminent and will go through once the window opens.

Materazzi said: “Manchester are one step away from Kevin Strootman.

“The British club will pay €40m [£32m] into the coffers of the Giallorossi [Roma].”

Manchester United have reportedly made Kevin Strootman their number one priority for the January transfer window.

A move for Strootman has been on the table since Louis van Gaal was hired as manager of the Old Trafford side at the end of last season.

However, a move could not be pushed through in the summer transfer window, partly due to Strootman’s fitness.

The Roma star has been on the sidelines since the latter stages of last season, and has not yet proven his fitness at the Serie A side.

Man Utd were therefore expected to wait until the summer to make any move for the Dutch international.

However, the Daily Star are now suggesting that they have made pushing through a deal for Strootman in January an absolute priority.

They have valued the midfielder at around £30 million, and Van Gaal clearly considers him to be more important than any other possible targets.

Our verdict

This one strikes us as a mistake waiting to happen. It would be far better if Man Utd waited for Strootman to prove his fitness before securing any deal, as a £30 million outlay on him right now seems like a huge risk.