Could Daley Blind be on his way to Old Trafford this summer…
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Manchester United are set to make a £17m offer for the Netherlands World Cup left-back Daley Blind, who can also play as a defensive midfielder.
Press reports in Italy state that new United boss Louis van Gaal is keen to link up with his former international prodigy, who would offer the Old Trafford club the ideal replacement for Juventus-bound Patrice Evra, while also providing cover for a number of other positions.
Blind impressed for Holland at the World Cup, where he was an ever-present figure for the Oranje and netted his country’s second goal in their 3-0 win over Brazil in the third spot play-off. The 24-year-old has attracted interest from a host of European clubs but United look poised to test Ajax’s resolve.
Evra’s departure will leave Luke Shaw as United’s only viable option at left-back, with Alex Buttner also having left the club, and while the former Southampton man is thought to be in pole-position for a place in the starting XI, Van Gaal is understandably keen to secure an alternative to the 19-year-old England international, and Blind could fit the role perfectly.
A defensive midfielder by trade – the position he normally occupies for Ajax – Blind can also be deployed as left-back, a role he’s occupied with excellent results for Holland – playing as part of both a 5-3-2 and a 3-4-3 formation.