Less than a week into his reign at Goodison Park, new Everton manager is set to launch a bid for Roma’s Dutch international, Kevin Strootman, 26.
New co-owner, Farhad Moshiri, has promised to fund the investment needed to take the Toffees back into the top four of the Premier League and has handed Koeman a £100m transfer kitty.
Strootman has two years left on his deal and Roma want to cash in, quoting the Merseysiders a fee of £30m. Their willingness to sell is underpinned by 28 year-old Belgian Radja Nainggolan’s desire to stay at the Stadio Olimpico.
It’s been a difficult time for the Dutchman in Italy. He tore his cruciate ligament in March 2014 and was out for seven months. He managed just six appearances on his return before the injury recurred in January 2015 and he missed another seven months, returning at the start of the 2015/16 season.
Returning to the side in February this year, he was finally relieved to be over his injury hell. Koeman has kept tabs on the midfielder who has previously attracted interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
Satisfied that he can withstand the physical demands of the English game, Koeman has sanctioned a move for the midfielder and hopes to persuade him to join ahead of pre-season training which begins in early July.
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