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Manchester United are determined to not enter the bidding war to sign on Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, despite there being a lack of clarity over the fitness of Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman.
The 25-year-old Dutchman is the first choice for manager Louis van gall as looks to strengthen his midfield. Strootman suffered an injury to the ligament in his knee in January and will need to provide enough assurance with regards to his fitness if the Red Devils are to bid for him for a sum, in excess of £40 million.
if he does fail to meet up to the desired fitness levels, then United will need to look at other options.
With regards to Pogba, who left the club in 2012, they have reiterated that they have no plans to bring him back to Old Trafford, even as there is talk of other heavyweights like Manchester City, Chelsea etc who are keen on signing the 22-year-old.
Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has said that United too are keen on signing his client on but the general perception at the club is that they would want to move forward and sign on someone new.
If Strootman becomes unavailable, then United may go either for Khedira or de Jong: Reports
van Gaal will be provided a sum in the range of £150 million to spend on buying players this summer, with a greater emphasis on purchasing midfielders.
The 63-year-old was willing to bide his time until he gained full fitness, but a fresh operation to his knee at the beginning of this year has meant that he will be out of the remainder of the campaign. He is scheduled to return for pre-season.
Sami Khedira, whose contract at Real Madrid expires this year and former City player Nigel de Jong are the players United could go for if they decide to give up on acquiring Strootman.
However, it is clear the club don't have Pogba in their plans at the moment.
Real Madrid, it is believed are interested in signing the Frenchman and even if they don't sign him this summer, they are likely to revive their interest on him, sometime in the future.
