Manchester United have been given encouragement over the possible signing of PSV Eindhoven midfielder Kevin Strootman after the 23-year-old said he was ready to listen to offers as long as the move appealed to him.
Strootman has been linked with a move to Manchester United for quite a while now, and the Dutch international is seen as the perfect player to add some much-needed steel and physical presence to the United midfield -- the only real thing missing in this otherwise well filled out squad.
United are currently 15 points clear in the English Premier League, with Sir Alex Ferguson masterminding yet another title run this season.
The manager, though, is looking to bring in a few fresh faces in the summer, and along with Strootman, Celtic's Victor Wanyama is also being considered in the defensive midfield department.
Strootman, though, is the little more accomplished player and is now a regular in the Dutch national side. He is comfortable on the ball, and is capable of scoring from long-range.
Strootman also reads the game well, while not being too afraid to go in for the physical challenges whenever necessary - an attribute which will stand him in good stead were he to move to the Premier League.
The PSV midfielder said he was looking forward to the interest in the summer, but would make a decision to leave the Dutch club only if it was the right move.
"Every transfer window there are clubs that are interested, but (a move) should appeal to me," he told reporters.
"Sometimes I look at matches in the Champions League and I think 'so, that's a tough level.'
"Sometimes I am less impressed."
United of course will be playing in the Champions League next season, and that could, at the end of the day, be the deciding factor in whether the youngster will be a Red Devil come the start of next season.