Manchester United Transfer News: Podolski, Strootman Involved in Latest Speculation

Manchester United are weighing up a move for Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 22-year-old PSV Eindhoven star has been watched 12 times by United scouts in recent weeks and will be subject to a £15 million ($24m) offer form United come the summer, according to the report.

Though the player is being dubbed the new Roy Keane, Strootman is widely regarded in his home country as a replacement for long-time Dutch international Mark van Bommel.

Strootman only signed for PSV, currently fourth in the Eredivisie, last summer after an impressive half-season with FC Utrecht. Prior to that Strootman first made his name with Sparta Rotterdam, but moved shortly after they were relegated from the Dutch top tier.

The United target has already made 11 appearances for his national side, aparking speculation that he could soon be the next Dutch player to move abroad.

The idea of singing Strootman makes sense given United's need for a combative midfielder. However, with just a single season under his belt with PSV, it is perhaps too early for the player to move to Old Trafford.

As we have seen several times there is a big step up from Dutch soccer to the big leagues in Europe as it is and a move to Old Trafford is an even bigger leap in standard.

If United are interested in the player, iot could well be that they allow Strootman to get at least another season under his belt with PSV before investing heavily.

Another story emerging from the British papers is that Lukas Podolski turned down a move to Manchester United in order to sign for rivals Arsenal.

The Sun reports that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson tried to hijack arsenal's big for the German forward, but that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger convinced the Podolski to opt for the Gunners.

It seems unlikely, though, that United would make a move for Podolski at this late stage, given that he is known to have been on the market for some time.