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Report: Manchester United 'could now have a strong chance' of signing Roma's Strootman

Tony Gentile / Reuters

It's sounding more and more like Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman is indeed for sale.

Although club owner James Pallotta continues to insist his 24-year-old defensive midfielder will not be sold to Manchester United in the upcoming winter transfer window, a report Thursday suggested the opposite.

According to ESPN FC, United "could now have a strong chance" of signing Strootman in January as a result of Roma's group-stage elimination from the Champions League. Furthermore, Roma will apparently "be more ready to negotiate despite their public statements to the contrary."

Strootman is reportedly at the top of United manager Louis van Gaal's wishlist, but it should be noted that the club aren't expected to strengthen their squad until the end of the 2014-15 campaign.

United's executive vice chairman Ed Woodward admitted recently there was a "low probability" of signings being made in January, and Roma are still very much in the hunt for their first Serie A title in 14 seasons, which could obviously influence a potential winter move.

Acquiring Strootman from Roma would likely cost United something in the range of £30 million, an interesting figure given Pallotta's assessment that a bid of £75 million wouldn't be enough for the player.

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