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Roma want £60m for United target Strootman

ESPN staff
September 21, 2014
Kevin Strootman was a powerhouse for Louis van Gaal's Netherlands side during the World Cup © Getty Images
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Roma's Kevin Strootman has sacked his agent and teamed up with Kees Vos - the man who represents Robin van Persie and Louis van Gaal - as the midfielder attempts to push through a move to Manchester United.

Strootman is reportedly top of Van Gaal's shopping list, with a winter move likely. But Vos's first job will be to persuade Roma's American president James Pallotta to drop his asking price which, according to the Daily Mirror, is £60 million - more than the British record United paid for Angel Di Maria.

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It seems United are paying the price for their £150m summer spending spree - with Roma demanding the top rate for their highly rated 24-year-old.

Pallotta, who earned his billion-dollar fortune as a hedge fund manager in the US, has told Vos that United cannot expect to get Strootman for the £25m previously offered.

Pallotta has also argued that Roma can offer Strootman Champions League football. The Italian side won 5-1 in their opening game and, if they come through a group that also includes Manchester City and Bayern Munich, that may just be enough to hold on to the Dutchman until the end of the season.

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