Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman could be lined up by Real Madrid as the man to fill the holding midfielder role at the Santiago Bernabeu, according to reports.
Los Blancos have looked short of midfield options this season following the sale of Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich and Sami Khedira’s injury that will rule him out for almost two months.
Toni Kroos was asked to play the holding role at the weekend against Atletico de Madrid but looked uncomfortable, so Los Blancos may need to dip into the transfer market in January to sort out the problem.
Asier Illarramendi will be asked to fill the holding midfielder role in the coming weeks while Khedira works on his fitness but he does not appear to have the long-term confidence of boss Carlo Ancelotti, who shelled out 30 million euros for him from Real Sociedad just over a year ago.
And according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Carlo Ancelotti wants to raid Seria A side Roma for Strootman, who missed his country’s World Cup campaign due to injury, to become the specialist defensive midfielder at the club.
He could face competition from Premier League side Manchester United though as the Red Devils, managed by Louis Van Gaal, have long been linked with a move for Strootman.
He’ll be a sensational addition.