AS Roma have put a huge £46 million price tag on their stylish midfielder Kevin Strootman, who Manchester United have earmarked as a possible January addition, as reported by the Daily Mirror.

The Old Trafford club were hoping to spend a maximum price of around £25 million for the dynamic midfielder, but they have now seen Roma owner James Pallotta demonstrate his determination to keep the midfield star.

The Italian club finished second in Serie A last season and have started the new campaign in good form, performing exceptionally in the Champions League mid week with a 5-0 win.

The club have no need to sell the player, and have therefore demanded a huge transfer fee from Man Utd.

Louis van Gaal is a known fan of the midfielder, having completely reshuffled his Dutch side in order to accommodate for his absence prior to the World Cup.

Strootman suffered a serious knee injury last season and it remains to be seen if he can reach the same heights again.

Manchester United are set to make their long term interest in Roma’s Kevin Strootman firm in January, and are set to swoop for the midfielder after he has proven his fitness following his knee injury, as reported by the Daily Star.

Strootman missed this summer’s World Cup after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, but he is a firm favourite of Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal, and the Old Trafford manager wants the club to move for him when the winter window rolls around.

Van Gaal’s liking of Strootman is so significant that he entirely reformulated his Netherlands side ahead of the World Cup as a result of his injury, changing to the 3-5-2 formation that he has now implemented at Man Utd.

Man Utd have already spent heavily since Van Gaal joined the club, and the last week of the summer window saw them sign Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao.