Manchester United Set to Launch £17m Bid for Ajax's Daley Blind

Manchester United are set to make a £17m bid to bring Ajax defender Daley Blind to Old Trafford.

According to the Express, Louis van Gaal is keen to bring his compatriot to United and is ready to tempt his former club with a lucrative offer and make Blind his third signing of the summer.

The Red Devils will need cover in the full-back position after the departures of Alexander Buttner and Patrice Evra to Dynamo Moscow and Juventus, respectively. It now leaves new signing Luke Shaw as the only recognised left-back in the squad.

The 24-year-old Dutch international has been remarkable this season and has established himself as a key player for both club and country.

During the domestic season with Ajax, he helped them to a fourth consecutive Eredivisie title and with Netherlands, he played a key role in his country's progress to the semi-final of the recently concluded World Cup in Brazil.

Van Gaal, who had all the time to analyse Blind during his time with the Holland team, will be impressed by the player's ability to play in different positions. During the World Cup, he was used as a wing-back, but he can also be deployed as a defensive midfielder.

The Ajax player's performances during the World Cup have not gone unnoticed, and have attracted attention from some of Europe's top clubs, mainly Barcelona. The Red Devils will have their work cut out for them to land Blind, as the Catalans are also vying for the players signature.

Meanwhile, the player's agent Rob Jansen recently confirmed that there are no negotiations going on for the transfer of his client, but did not deny the possibility of a move away from his current employers Ajax.

Van Gaal has shown interest in quite a few of the Dutch players who were present with him in Brazil for the World Cup. Dutch defender Stefan De Vrij's name has been frequently mentioned, with regards to a move to Old Trafford.