Manchester United's Daley Blind reveals he turned down 'incredible' Arsenal offer as a teenager

The offer came in when he was 16

James Orr
Wednesday 29 July 2015 10:20 BST
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Daley Blind in action for Manchester United
Daley Blind in action for Manchester United (GETTY IMAGES)

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Manchester United utility man Daley Blind has admitted that he came close to joining Arsenal when he was 16 years old.

Blind, now 25, said: "I had the chance to move to London at a young age. I was in the Ajax academy and one day I came home from school.

"My mum and dad said to me: 'Arsenal have called today. They want you.'

"I thought they were taking the mickey. It was my dream to be a player in the first team of Ajax but we went to Arsenal.

"We were there for a day. It was great. They offered to sort out everything for my schooling, so I could get my A levels.

"They also offered me an incredible contract, especially for a boy of my age. Ajax offered me a contract too at the same time.

"The money was nowhere near what I could earn at Arsenal. My dad left it up to me and I decided to stay at Ajax."

Blind, who can play in defence or midfield, eventually joined United from Ajax for £13.8m last summer.

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