Continuing to rumble on rather silently, Kevin Strootman’s exit, with Liverpool the favourites still, keeps getting at least one mention in the Italian newspapers every day.
Il Messaggero have been the ones pushing the hardest, but the fact Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport have both gotten involved suggests there could be something behind it.
On Wednesday, the former of the three suggested that if clubs wanted the Dutch midfielder, they would have to pay his €45m release clause, which Liverpool didn’t want to do.
Even if he isn’t the first name on Eusebio di Francesco’s team sheet, the 27-year-old remains a very good player, and the Serie A side have every right to want to make some money, especially in today’s market.
However, Gazzetta on Thursday, who also mention Liverpool by name as the most likely destination for Strootman, hint a lower offer could do the trick.
With Monchi currently in London meeting Roma’s chairman James Pallotta, the future of a handful of players will be discussed, including the Dutchman’s.
Gazzetta explain that ‘players who don’t want to be there’ will be thrown out the door, ‘offers permitting’, and ‘should a real request come for a big player who doesn’t convince, then Roma would think about it’.
Strootman is mentioned as one of the ‘eligible candidates’, and so is Stephan El Shaarawy.
There’s no mention of the release clause or the need to trigger it, and that’s good news if Jürgen Klopp really is keen on the former PSV Eindhoven star, as bringing him to Anfield might be a bit easier than first anticipated.
