WITH MANCHESTER UNITED having missed out on Thomas Vermaelen, they’re still desperately seeking a left-sided defender and Ajax’s Daley Blind could be that player.
The 24 year-old has revealed that despite not having any great desire to leave Amsterdam, he is open to a move elsewhere.
I am happy here. But if there comes another club I will have to think about it and then we will see. I will think about my options. For now I will focus on Ajax and we will see what happens next week.”
United are short on defensive numbers and with just a few weeks left in the transfer window, CEO Ed Woodward will be acutely aware of what happened the club last summer when they were forced into a now-infamous deadline day dash. So, time is of the essence.
Blind offers flexibility and a healthy working relationship with Van Gaal. He played a variety of roles at the World Cup but drew admiring glances from many quarters after a sterling display from left wing-back against Spain. He’s equally comfortable dropping into central midfield or playing on the left-side of a three-man defence.
Ajax boss Frank de Boer admits it will be hard to keep Blind at the club should a big offer come in but the legendary former Dutch international is hopeful the player might stay for one more season:
“I am convinced he will make the right choice. If he goes to a big club then he has definitely deserved it. But I think it would be better if he stays one year. Last year was a good year for him but I think he can improve a lot with us. If a club comes along with a lot of money it is almost impossible to say no. But we won’t let him go for free that is for sure. It is important for the player and the club that there is no tension or that it happens at the last minute.”