Manchester United transfer news: Daley Blind edges closer to re-join Ajax after clubs agree fee

Blind joined Manchester United in 2014 but is close to returning to Ajax

Jack Watson
Saturday 14 July 2018 19:42 BST
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Manchester United’s Daley Blind is on the verge on returning to Ajax.

The 28-year-old arrived at Old Trafford for £14m in 2014 and is edging closer to returning to the Amsterdam club in a £14.1m deal, which could rise to £18.5m, after the two clubs agreed a transfer fee on Saturday

The defender followed Louis van Gaal to United four years ago after starting in the 2014 World Cup final for the Netherlands, but has fallen out of favour under his replacement, Jose Mourinho.

Blind has made 141 appearances at United and won the Europa League, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield during his time at Old Trafford, but only played seven times in the Premier League last season under Mourinho as the Portuguese deployed Ashley Young at left-back where Blind had largely featured.

United have already brought in highly-rated right-back Diogo Dalot from Porto, Brazil international Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk and veteran goalkeeper Lee Grant from Stoke City, with Mourinho now looking to trim his large squad.

Daley Blind only played seven Premier League games last season.
Daley Blind only played seven Premier League games last season. (AFP/Getty Images)

The defender will be the first high profile player to depart Old Trafford in addition to Michael Carrick, who retired at the end of the season and joined Mourinho’s coaching staff.

Blind will not have far to travel for talks as Ajax touched down in Birmingham on Saturday morning and have been training at England's St George’s Park. They will play Wolves and Walsall before taking on Austrian side SK Sturm Graz in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

Ajax’s manager Erik ten Hag was quoted saying that they are “doing everything” to bring Blind back to the club he started his professional career at. “We are doing everything, but it also depends on other parties,” he said.

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