Manchester United target Daley Blind has been spotted in Barcelona as the Catalan club compete for his signature.
The versatile Holland star has spent his entire career with Ajax, barring a loan spell at Groningen, but at 24 is in demand by both United and Barca.
The Spanish side appear in pole position after Mundo Deportivo spotted the left-back defensive midfielder in the city of Barcelona, apparently on holiday.
Louis van Gaal, who managed him in the national team during the World Cup, also has a close relationship with Blind’s father Danny, who was the captain of his 1995 Champions League winning Ajax team.
Blind senior was assistant to Van Gaal in Brazil but is staying on under Guus Hiddink until Euro 2016 and will take over as manager in his own right for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers – so he won’t be joining the United staff.
That perhaps weakens United’s chances of luring Blind, especially when Barcelona can offer Champions League football.
Valued at around £17m, Blind would be useful at United as an alternative to youngster Luke Shaw at left back and another central midfield option – an area where United have been looking to strengthen.
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