Manchester United will offer Mata as part of a swap to make the prospect of losing Strootman easier for the Italian capital side.
The Serie A giant’s sporting director Walter Sabatini has insisted last week that the Ditch play-maker will not be available for a transfer as the club do not want to sell him.
But United boss Louis van Gaal, with whom he worked with during his time in charge of the Nertherlands, would like to be reunited with Strootman and is willing to give up club record signing Juan Mata.
The Spanish international’s future with the club has been called into question following the arrival of Radamel Falcao and, in particular, Angel Di Maria during the summer transfer period.
The 26 year-old is likely to be the player who will lose out on game time overall so a switch may be an option for the former Chelsea man.
Roma’s league rivals Juventus have also reportedly shown their interest in Mata however Champions League football could prove a vital factor in their race to sign him as they will be more favourable if they reach the round of 16.
Juve coach Massimo Allegri is known to be an admirer of the United midfielder and sees him as a perfect fit into the play-making no. 10 role at the club.
The Turin side are looking to snap him up for around £20m, which would see a loss of £17m which they paid to bring him to Old Trafford.
By Phil Wellbrook
