Kevin Strootman to Manchester United: Louis van Gaal will 'target midfielder in January'

Despite £150m spend Van Haal wants Dutch midfielder, according to reports

Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman (Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal is already preparing to spend more money in January despite his £150m investment during the summer transfer window.

According to various reports, the Manchester United boss is preparing to add Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman to his squad for between £25m and £30m.

The Dutch boss knows he needs a top class centre-midfielder after missing out on Arturo Vidal over concerns about his knee. Daley Blind, bought for £14m on deadline day, will play in midfield but is more of a utility man capable of playing at left wing-back and left-back when needed.

Van Gaal completely revamped United this summer, brining in Blind, Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw and seeing 14 players leave the club permanently, as well as allowing nine more, including Javier Hernandez and Luis Nani, to go on loan.

Strootman, 24, became one of the best midfielders in Serie A last season, driving Roma to a title challenge with Juventus before suffering a season-ending knee injury in March.

That injury kept him out of the Netherlands squad for the World Cup, where he would have been a sure starter under Van Gaal

The box-to-box midfielder is an excellent athlete and extremely gifted in possession; known as the Dutch Roy Keane for his strong style of play, he also has an eye for goal.

United are also believed to be monitoring Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels. The World Cup winner had been a target of United's all summer but has been named captain at the Bundesliga club this season.