Ajax supremo makes surprising revelation.
Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has come under fire for the recent sale of World Cup star Daley Blind to Manchester United but has had to remind fans that the player almost joined Aston Villa when he was less than appreciated, Inside Futbol reports.
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Blind departed the Amsterdam ArenA with just days remaining in the summer window, with Ajax banking €17.5m but having precious little time to find a replacement.
It is a situation that has garnered much criticism from the club’s fans this summer, but Overmars only wishes the deal had come much sooner.
“I understand the supporters’ feelings,” he said.
“We weren’t happy either when Daley left just before the transfer deadline.”
And Overmars even went further to reveal that the 24-year-old was almost sold to Aston Villa at a time when he wasn’t rated anywhere near as highly as he is now.
“Could we have stopped the transfer? You could be stubborn and say that no one else is allowed to leave during the last week of the transfer window.
“One and a half years ago Daley was still jeered and we were also hesitating over whether we should perhaps sell him to Aston Villa for a nice sum or look during the summer break at how he would develop, knowing that his contract which expire.
“When you see what he has gone through and what he has overcome, then you can’t deny him this opportunity.
“Then you become the big losers if you stop the transfer.”
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