Rohan Sengupta
English giants Manchester United may profit from a transfer ‘crisis’ at Roma. The Italian outfit have admitted they need to sell players in this window to balance their finances.
Beyond results, Roma have struggled off the pitch as well. They played a sloppy game against Atalanta that saw them lose 2-1, which resulted in them dropping out of a Champions League spot and virtually throwing away their Scudetto hopes.
According to Calciomercato, Kevin Strootman might be the player to make way. The midfielder was among the most horrible against Atalanta to such a point that he himself admitted that he’s never played so badly. He’s endured a complicated relationship with the manager, Eusebio di Francesco, who wants him out of the Rome-based club.
The publication reports the Dutch international is not suited for a role at Roma and has been linked with a move to Premier League duo – Manchester United and Chelsea.
While the Dutchman is someone who has drawn links with the club multiple times in the past, injuries have derailed his progress every time he has looked to step up. Now though, the 27-year-old Strootman is up and running – fully fit, and is a regular at the Giallorossi.
Strootman has made 22 appearances in all competitions for Roma this season, impressing in the midfield under Eusebio di Francesco by playing in a midfield trio alongside the likes of Daniele de Rossi and Radja Nainggolan.
While the midfielder is more suited to a deeper role, he has started on the left-hand side of the 3-man central midfield more often. But against Atlanta, he endured one of the most forgettable nights in his career and may find himself in England before the club returns from their holiday.
As things stand for United, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini are yet to sign new deals, with their current deals set to run out at the end of the current season. Other than summer signing Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba appears to be the only top quality central midfielder we have in the squad, while young Scot McTominoy has just been promoted to the first-team and needs time to learn the trade.
This leaves the Red Devils in a dire need of a combative midfielder and a leader to guide the team through different situations in the game. United have suffered from a severe lack of leadership and organisation at the back, lately. In Strootman, Jose Mourinho will get a leader to sort out the mess the club is in.
The Dutch star’s modest release clause of €45m could be a small price to pay to put an end to United’s current woes. Strootman could provide the necessary defensive qualities to prevent United’s current issues at defending set-pieces.
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