Daley Blind insists Manchester United target Jurrien Timber is ‘wise enough to make his own choices’ but hopes Ajax can hold onto the defender for another season.
New United boss Erik ten Hag is hoping to make his former Ajax player one of his first signings at Old Trafford this summer.
The 20-year-old was a key figure under the Dutchman last season but has suggested he is unsure over a move to Manchester, insisting he will let his ‘gut feeling be the deciding factor’.
Recent reports from Netherlands suggest Ajax are growing increasingly confident of keeping hold of Timber with the versatile defender now said to be leaning towards staying in Amsterdam.
Blind, Timber’s teammate for club and country, spent four years in Manchester and was involved in all of the club’s recent cup successes, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League as a United player.
And while he admits Timber will eventually have the final say on whether he leaves Ajax this summer, he insists the Dutch giants must do everything they can to keep him.
‘He is wise enough to make his own choices,’ Blind told a press conference following Netherlands’ emphatic 4-1 win over Belgium on Friday night .
‘I don’t need to explain what kind of talent and player he is. How important he is to us.
‘What he shows from the start though is unbelievable. Of course, as a teammate, I hope he stays for another year. I cannot influence that.
‘I can only say that Ajax must do its best to keep him.’
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