Advocaat: Dutch Midfielder Ready for Manchester United Move

Former PSV manager Dick Advocaat believes that Kevin Strootman's transfer to a club of the stature of Manchester United is close in spite of the player signing for AS Roma last summer.

Advocaat, who managed Strootman in PSV, is amazed that no club among the elites had moved in for the Dutch international last summer, allowing the midfielder to be swooped up by Roma. The move has gone down well with the Italians, having won all and drawn only one of their games in the league this season. Roma sit top of Serie A on this day and Strootman's performances have been a major reason behind their renaissance.

The Premier League champions were vehemently linked with a move for the player but David Moyes decided against pursuing the Dutchman while making enquiries for Cesc Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara.

However, with Strootman blossoming for Roma and proving himself in one of the most competitive leagues in the world, the Scotsman may turn his attention back towards the Dutchman, especially with Michael Carrick sidelined for up to eight weeks and approaching his mid-thirties.

The midfielder has scored two goals and assisted five this season but his main asset has been his holding play which has made the difference for the Italians. Advocaat believes that his recent performances mean that he will soon be on the wanted list for most clubs among Europe's elite.

"Strootman is a pure professional. It frankly surprised me that he did not get to the absolute top last summer and was on the side a little," Advocaat told Algemeen Dagblad.

"I do not think he will stay at Roma that long. If Kevin is at this level, he will be plucked away. And then it will be a team of the calibre of Manchester United," he added.

United are in the market for a midfielder and are looking to strengthen in January as they look to put their title defence back on track.