Roma boss Luciano Spalletti has branded Kevin Strootman "an exceptional player" and claimed that the midfielder "could play for a team like Barcelona or Bayern Munich".

Strootman's career has stalled in recent seasons due to a succession of knee injuries, but the Netherlands international has been an ever-present for Roma during the early months of the 2016-17 campaign.

In addition to praising Strootman's ability on the pitch, Spalletti has called the midfielder, who joined Roma from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2013, "a fantastic man".

"I think Strootman could play for a team like Barcelona or Bayern Munich," Spalletti told UEFA.com. "Throw him in there and he would be able to compete. He could play in any one of those teams, which says it all.

"Strootman is an exceptional player and a fantastic man in all respects. You just need to see the desire and emotion he puts into everyday training, not only in matches. He really is a team player who helps you set the rhythm and is always ready come Sunday.

"If you are ready to play, you win; otherwise, you do not know what the result will be. Players like Strootman help you feel ready because he goes about his business in the right way. He is a very reliable person, a top player that every team would like to have."

Manchester United have previously been credited with an interest in the 26-year-old.