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United line up Strootman raid in January

Louis van Gaal has reportedly targeted a £25 million January move for Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman as he switches his focus to clearing out the deadwood from his Manchester United squad on transfer deadline day.

Van Gaal has already strengthened his midfield this summer with Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria, with the Daily Telegraph reporting the Dutchman is keen to add compatriot Strootman in the next transfer window.

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Strootman is currently stepping up his recovery from the cruciate ligament injury suffered in March that ruled him out of the World Cup, where the midfielder had been set to play a big part in Van Gaal's plans with the Netherlands.

Roma expect Strootman, 24, to be back to full fitness in November, but have already warned United it will take a "three-digit offer" - €100m (£79m) - to tempt them into a sale, after Van Gaal admitted before a pre-season friendly against the club that he would monitor the midfielder's recovery,

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David Moyes is believed to have overlooked Strootman when he moved from PSV Eindhoven to Roma for £14m last summer, but the player is thought to be keen to work with Van Gaal at United. Roma's impending £11.4m move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot would appear to pave the way for Strootman's exit.

United have already played down the prospect of deadline day moves for Juventus midifelder Arturo Vidal and Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho.

United's £13.8m capture of Netherlands midfielder Daley Blind from Ajax over the weekend has taken their summer spending to £146.3m this summer. Ed Woodward, the club's executive vice-chairman, has now been asked by Van Gaal to find new clubs for several out-of-favour players before today's 11pm deadline.

Shinji Kagawa has already sealed a £6.3m return to Borussia Dortmund, having been signed for £17m in June 2012, scoring just six goals in 57 appearances at the club.

Javier Hernandez has now followed Kagawa out of the Old Trafford exit door, having joined Real Madrid on loan for the season.

Hernandez becomes the 11th player to leave United this summer, with Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Anderson, goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard and young midfielder Nick Powell also believed to be surplus to requirements.

Welbeck can leave United on loan for a fee of £4m, according to the Daily Mail, with Tottenham said to be interested. Cleverley, meanwhile, has been linked with an £8m move to Aston Villa.

Van Gaal is keen to cut down his squad to around 20 first-team players, given United's reduced fixture schedule this season with no European football and with the club already out of the League Cup after their 4-0 humiliation at MK Dons last week.

Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman is said to be keen to work with Louis van Gaal © Getty Images

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