Transfer News: Manchester United defender Daley Blind subject of enquiry from AS Roma

Manchester United have reportedly received an enquiry for out of favour defender Daley Blind from Serie A club AS Roma.

Manchester United defender Daley Blind has emerged as a transfer target for Serie A side AS Roma, who have already made an enquiry regarding the player’s availability, as per reports from the Mirror.

The 27-year old versatile Dutchman joined Manchester United in the summer of 2014 from AFC Ajax and had grown into an important player under then manager Louis van Gaal. Since his move to the Old Trafford, he has made 139 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals and chalking up ten assists in the process.

His contract with Manchester United runs till the summer of 2019, with the club invoking a one-year extension option on his deal earlier this month. A versatile operator, Blind can play as a left-back, a centre-back or even in a defensive midfield position, which makes him a valuable utility player to have in the squad.

But, he has fallen down the pecking order at the club ever since the arrival of Jose Mourinho in 2016. In the ongoing campaign, Blind has played only 15 times for the Red Devils across all competitions, notching up a solitary goal and two assists.

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? Sky in Italy: Roma are in negotiations with Manchester United over the signing of Daley Blind.

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And it is understood that the player is keen on securing a move away from Old Trafford in search of regular football. The 27-year old was earlier linked with a shock move to Barcelona as well, however those rumours died down pretty quickly and Roma are the latest suitors in his pursuit.

Roma lost left-back Emerson Palmieri, who joined Manchester United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea in an £18 million deal on Tuesday. And the Giallorossi have identified Blind as the man to replace the departed Brazilian and to that end have reportedly made an official enquiry with the English giants over the possibility of a sale.

But it remains to be seen if Manchester United are going to sanction a move for the Dutch international before the January transfer deadline, considering that the club are still involved in three competitions.

Blind had featured in every single cup game, domestic and continental, this season until last weekend’s win over Yeovil Town, which he missed due to an injury. Even if United hold on to the Dutchman in January, a move in the summer window is a strong possibility.

Interestingly, Roma were also interested in signing Blind’s United teammate and fellow full-back Matteo Darmian earlier in the transfer window. However, the 20-time English champions weren’t willing to part with the Italy international midway through the season, and it now remains to be seen if Blind makes his way to Stadio Olimpico.