Kevin Strootman 'absolutely not' ready for January move to Man United

Posted Thursday, October 25, 2012 by Metro.co.uk

PSV midfielder Kevin Strootman has ruled out a January switch to Manchester United, but has told Sir Alex Ferguson to come calling again in May.

Kevin Strootman 'absolutely not' ready for January move to Man United
Kevin Strootman (centre) is set to remain with PSV until at least the end of the season

The 22-year-old Dutch midfielder has been on the Old Trafford radar for a long time, with rumours circulating over an £15million deal being completed last summer, but that failed to materialise.

Now United have returned to Strootman’s agent Chiel Dekker for a proposed move, but according to Dekker, the player has categorically ruled out the option for a mid-season move, with AC Milan also thought to be interested.

‘My client could leave in January? Absolutely not. There's nothing in that,’ Dekker told Italian media.

‘We are only in October - the only thing I can say is to call me back in May.’

Strootman captained Holland in their recent clash with Andorra and is widely expected to be the long-term successor to current skipper Mark van Bommel.

And his captaincy credentials are part of the attraction for the Old Trafford hierarchy, who consider him a player in a similar mould to Roy Keane, though a summer transfer could come too late for boss Ferguson, who is seeking a solution to United’s current defensive frailties.