Man United set to offer Juan Mata in a bid to land Kevin Strootman
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is reportedly ready to offer Juan Mata to Roma in a bid to snare midfielder Kevin Strootman in January.
Van Gaal is desperate to get the Dutch enforcer on board having worked with the 24-year-old with Holland and, according to the Sunday People, he sees Mata as the man he can use as bait.
The new Old Trafford chief is eager to get his own men on board, having already drafted in seven new signings this summer with Ander Herrera, Daley Blind and Angel di Maria all earmarked for midfield spots.
Mata was a $60.1million recruit from Chelsea by former boss David Moyes and the arrival of Di Maria in particular has placed a question mark over the Spaniard's future at Old Trafford, despite his impressive record of seven goals in his last nine Premier League games.
Juventus are also keen on Mata, but Roma are believed to be willing to take Mata on loan with a view to a permanent transfer and United will be keen to push through at deal to the Eternal City so they can get their hands on Strootman.
Roma's sporting director Walter Sabatini last week insisted Strootman, who is currently injured, is not for sale.
"He is an extraordinary player, and these rumours [of his sale] have been based on the desires of other clubs," said Sabatini on Thursday.
"We want to keep him, he is our point of strength. We hope to see him back in the field with all his powers. He played an exemplary role last season.
"Of course he is unsellable, but we must contextualise that I do not say he is for sale. We receive offers, protect him and defend him, but I do not know what will happen."
However the Rome club, who slapped a $128million price tag on the player in July, are believed to be willing to allow Strootman to move on for the right price in part-exchange for fall-guy Mata
