Real ready to beat United to midfielder.
Real Madrid could be set to hijack Manchester United’s bid for AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman this January as they eye a replacement for Xabi Alonso, according to AS.
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The Spanish giants made the somewhat surprirse decision to allow Alonso to join Bayern Munich in the summer, leaving them short of quality in the defensive midfield department, with Toni Kroos often playing an unfamiliar deep role for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Strootman now appears to be Real’s top target after his fine form in Serie A, and they will now rival United for his signature this winter, in what could be another major blow for the Red Devils in the transfer market.
Despite bringing in big names such as Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao this summer, United also missed out on some other high-profile transfer targets, and Strootman is one who has long been on their radar.
It remains to be seen whether or not Roma will sell the Dutch international, or which club he would choose if given the opportunity to join both, but Real have a good track record of signing the players they want under president Florentino Perez, however high the price may be.