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

The offer came in when he was 16

Daley Blind in action for Manchester United (GETTY IMAGES)

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.