Manchester United have reportedly been offered the chance to sign long-term midfield target Kevin Strootman from Marseille this summer.
Sky Sports have reported that Kevin Strootman is back on the radar of long-time suitors Manchester United. The Red Devils also face competition from fellow Premier League outfits Everton and West Ham United, with Marseille open to the idea of selling the Dutchman in the summer transfer window.
Strootman only joined Marseille from AS Roma last summer, following a productive five-year spell in the Italian capital. In his first season in French football though, the 29-year-old quickly became a regular member of the first-team setup, missing just five matches whenever available.
The Dutchman has also been a mainstay for his national side, excelling in a deep lying playmaker role for both club and country. But, with Marseille set to miss out on Champions League football for next season, cost cutting is on the cards, with Strootman among the players set to be put on the transfer list, thereby piquing the interest of Manchester United.
Manchester United, in fact, hold a long-standing interest in Strootman, having also attempted to sign him when David Moyes and Louis van Gaal were at the helm at Old Trafford. And, ahead of the summer transfer window, with midfield being a priority, the Red Devils have rekindled their pursuit of the player.
Ander Herrera has already departed from Old Trafford as a free agent, with PSG expected to sign him. The future of Paul Pogba is also up in the air, leaving Manchester United in a precarious position already.
To make matters more concerning, Nemanja Matic has been showing signs of age catching up to him, making the holding midfield spot in the side one that needs to be addressed by Manchester United. This is where the interest in Strootman could possibly be stemming from.
Like Matic, Strootman will only be a short-term solution at best for Manchester United. But, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side is in need of leaders, while also searching for short-term stability apart from looking to build for the future. Marseille are also reportedly interested in only loaning the player out, which could work for all parties involved.
The pursuit of Strootman could thus, make some sense as he could also help groom the likes of Scott McTominay and James Garner. Manchester United though, are also facing competition from Everton and West Ham United for the Dutch international.
But, with European football on offer, United will hope to have the advantage in the race to sign him. It now remains to be seen if Strootman finally makes his way to Old Trafford this summer, or if some other club swoops him away.
