<
>

Blind flattered by United, Barca links

Ajax defender Daley Blind says it would be "very hard" to turn down a move to Manchester United or Barcelona.

- Payne: United's vision becomes clear with Blind

Blind has been linked with both sides this summer following an impressive World Cup campaign with Netherlands.

Ajax youth team coach Richard Witschge said on Friday that the 24-year-old is likely to leave the Dutch outfit soon, and now the player himself has conceded he is keen on a move to a club the size of United or Barca.

"Of course, it's flattering when you're linked with clubs like Manchester United and Barcelona," Blind told Goal.com.

"It would be very hard to turn down these kind of clubs. But there's no serious interest as of yet.

"You can never make promises in football. When you make a promise, you have to stick to it. There are plenty of players who promise to stay and then leave after all."

Although Blind would relish a move to one of Europe's biggest clubs, he says he is happy to bide his time at Ajax.

"I am keeping my options open. I am very happy in Amsterdam and at Ajax, but you never know what could happen," he said.

"I am still developing as a player. I am only 24-years-old, so I hope that there's still room for improvement."

The Netherlands international also suggested that a move to Spain would suit his game more than a switch to England.

"La Liga would suit my style of play. Perhaps England as well, but that's a very physical competition and that's not my biggest strength," he said.

"I have made steps forward physically, but fighting out personal duels is not my thing. I am not like [Tottenham defender] Jan Vertonghen, who is very powerful.

"The most important thing for me at a new club is that they play proper football. I would be more open to a club that plays proper football than to a club that only hits long balls."