Chelsea have launched a bid to trump Manchester United for AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman. The Sunday Express says Italian sources report Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is hoping to beat United to Strootman in January.

The Portuguese is said to have tabled a £30m bid for the box-to-box midfielder, with Roma keen to make a healthy profit should they choose to sell.

United have been forced to call on a number of youth players this term after an unfortunate series of injuries to first-team regulars, and are expected to top the Blues' offer in order to strengthen the squad.