Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is interested in Roma's Kevin Strootman, the midfielder's agent has admitted to the Guardian.
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But Chiel Dekker said United will face a battle to sign the Netherlands international as Roma, who have him under contract for the next four years, are determined to keep Strootman.
No deal would be possible until January as Strootman is expected to be out until October with a knee injury.
But new United manager Van Gaal, who has worked with his compatriot in his capacity as Netherlands coach, is an admirer of the 24-year-old.
"He won't be back playing until autumn. That's the time schedule at the moment," Dekker told the Guardian. "He is of interest to Louis van Gaal but not related to Manchester United at this point."
Former United manager David Moyes also scouted Strootman, who joined Roma from PSV Eindhoven last summer, and Dekker believes Van Gaal could attempt to sign the midfielder in a future transfer window.
"Could be but he's in Rome and he had a terrific season," Dekker added. "There has been nothing between the clubs or between Louis and Kevin: they know each other and like each other but at this stage it's not related to Man United.
"Roma do not want to sell. The first thing is it's all between the clubs. And it's also a very difficult decision because he has to choose between a fantastic club in Rome, a club that bought him and supported him while he was injured and [then] you have his personal coach of the national team at United.
"The clubs have to decide. He's very happy at Rome, he's happy to stay because they play Champions League next season and happy to recover [from] his injury, so at this stage we are not part of any discussion."
United are expected to sign a central midfielder this summer but Van Gaal has decided against pursuing the long-term target Toni Kroos.