Sabatini: 'Strootman not for sale'

Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini insists midfielder Kevin Strootman is not for sale, despite the continuous rumours of the player’s possible move to Manchester United in January.

Louis van Gaal was keen on bringing Strootman to Old Trafford in the recently concluded transfer window, but the deal could not go through because of the concerns surrounding the cruciate ligament injury the 24-year-old picked up in March, which also made him miss the World Cup in Brazil this year.

But the Dutch international is expected to be back on the field by the end of this year, and the Red Devil’s manager is hoping that the English club is able to rope the player in during the winter transfer season, once he has proven his fitness.

However Sabatini has dismissed the possibility of any such move.

“The player is not on the market”, he was quoted as saying by Tutto Mercato.

“These rumours are always from the same English voices.

“He is one of our players and we expect him back. We are heavily focused on him.”

Strootman joined the Italian side from Eredivisie outfit PSV Eindhoven in 2013, after making 88 appearances for the Netherlands club.

He has been a huge success for the Wolves since his €19 million transfer to Stadio Olimpico scoring six times in his 25 appearances and guided them to a second-place finish in the Serie A last season.