Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal still sees Dutch duo Kevin Strootman and Ron Vlaar as his two prime targets for the January transfer window.
Ever since Van Gaal has taken over as Manchester United manager, the Dutchman has been linked with moves for several of his compatriots, chief of them being Strootman.
Indeed, Strootman's move to Manchester United almost looks like a foregone conclusion, with the only question being when and for what, even if Roma have tried their best to quell the transfer links.
However, with Roma getting knocked out of the Champions League, reports have only gathered pace of an imminent move to Manchester United.
Van Gaal is a huge admirer of the midfielder, and sees Strootman as just the man he needs in the centre of the park, dictating the game and breaking up play when necessary.
Strootman himself has professed his admiration for Van Gaal, and a move worth around £30 million has been mooted, even if Roma have repeatedly said the midfielder will cost a lot more for them to even consider a deal.
Joining Strootman in the January transfer window could be his compatriot and Netherlands national teammate Vlaar, according to the Manchester Evening News, with Manchester United ready to spend over £30 million for the duo in a bid to firm up their top four place and maybe even make a run for the English Premier League title.
Even if Manchester United have improved considerably in their defence over the past few games, with the club currently on a six-match winning streak, Van Gaal is keen to bring in an assured central defender, and having worked with Vlaar during his time as the Dutch coach, the United manager knows all about the Aston Villa defender.
Vlaar is out of contract at Aston Villa at the end of the season, and that has led to suggestions the 29-year-old could leave Villa Park in January, with Arsenal also showing an interest.
However, Aston Villa have insisted on a hefty £12 million transfer fee for Vlaar, which is quite steep considering he only has about six months remaining on his current contract.
Neither Manchester United nor Arsenal will be willing to match that asking price for Vlaar, who will turn 30 in a couple of months' time, but Aston Villa might have no choice but to sell their centre-back in January if it becomes clear their player will not sign a new contract, as the Premier League side will not want to lose the Netherlands international on a free in the summer.
