Roma have confirmed that they rejected the opportunity to sign Manchester United defender Daley Blind on transfer deadline day.
The Italian club were linked with a move for the Dutchman late on Wednesday night, with reports of a move valued at around £13m on the cards, having sold Emerson Palmieri to Chelsea the previous day.
Blind has hardly featured for United this season, making just five Premier League appearances, including just three starts, despite having become a regular starter under Jose Mourinho’s predecessor, Louis van Gaal.
With plenty of cover at centre back, and Ashley Young and Luke Shaw battling to be the first choice left back, United were willing to let the 27-year-old leave the club, but only on a permanent deal.
However, Roma’s infamous director of football, Monchi, hinted that the Serie A side couldn’t afford the former Ajax man. He said:
“Blind was offered to us and he was evaluated from both a sporting and financial point of view.
“However, we decided not go get him. Let’s not forget the financial stand point — otherwise, we’d sign every player in the world.”
Monchi also declared himself satisfied with the deal to sell Emerson Palmieri to Chelsea for £17.5million, after the Italian played just 16 minutes this term, as he recovered from a serious knee injury.
Monchi added:
“When I arrived, I found a squad with a lot of quality and now I see them and think we are a physically, tactically and technically strong team.
“We sold a player to Chelsea for a lot of money, who played just one match for us.”
Chelsea were also keen on signing his Roma teammate Edin Dzeko, but were unable to agree terms.
