United switch targets after Strootman blow.
Manchester
United could be set to switch their focus from Kevin Strootman to his
AS Roma team-mate Miralem Pjanic after learning that the Dutchman is not
for sale.
The Red Devils are desperate to bring in a new creative midfielder in
the January transfer window, and Strootman is thought to have been one
of Louis van Gaal’s main targets in that position.
However, with
Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini insisting today that Strootman is
too important to sell, United could try their luck with another of the
star players at the Stadio Olimpico, with Pjanic emerging as a top class
playmaker in recent times as well.
The Bosnian international was
strongly linked with the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain
prior to signing a new contract earlier this year, but his fine displays
have kept him on the radar of a number of top clubs, with United now
thought to be ready to step up their interest in him.
Pjanic would likely command a fee of around £40m, and it is looking
increasingly clear that United’s big spending of the summer is not over
as they continue to eye big-name signings such as Cristiano Ronaldo and
Arturo Vidal, who are both also likely to cost vast amounts of money.
Like
Pjanic, Vidal is valued at around £40m or more, while the possible
re-signing of Ronaldo from Real Madrid could set the Old Trafford club
back around £60m, which would break their transfer record that they set
this summer with the signing of Angel Di Maria.
Although Roma have
been firm on Strootman, they did allow Mehdi Benatia to leave this
summer, and could be open to selling Pjanic for the right price, with
United keen to do business for the immensely talented 24-year-old.
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