Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has hit out at "lavish" transfer stories regarding Kevin Strootman, reiterating that the 24-year-old midfielder is not for sale.

The Netherlands international, currently recovering from a knee injury, is expected to return to competitive action by December, but recent reports have suggested that Manchester United could bid for him in January.

Sabatini is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News: "I have found that all of the lavish things that are coming out are stories that are all from England.

"There is no issue with Strootman, who is one of our important players and who we miss very much. There have been months now without him and around him we had built a style of play.

"He will return soon and he is not on the market - we will give him the time needed to recover to being the same as before."

Roma manager Mauro Baldissoni has also gone on record to refute transfer rumours regarding Strootman.