Barcelona Transfer News: Daley Blind Bid Prepared Amid Manchester United Rumours

Barcelona will reportedly make a move for Manchester United star Daley Blind this summer after it emerged new Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho doesn't have plans to keep the Netherlands international. 

Spanish newspaper Sport (h/t the Sun's Alex Terrell) reported Barca are keen to lodge an €18 million (£13.9 million) offer for Blind, who is being sought by manager Luis Enrique as defensive cover.

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Shortly after Mourinho's appointment at the Old Trafford helm, reports surfaced that neither Blind nor Juan Mata would feature in the tactician's blueprint for the club, per Terrell.

Sky Sports provided further insight on the matter, with the two fan favourites potentially set to move on as Mourinho looks to stamp his mark on the lineup:

Blind moved to United from Ajax in the summer of 2014 and was a favourite of former manager Louis van Gaal, whom he also worked under in the Netherlands' 2014 World Cup campaign.

The utility star reacted to speculation he's set for the club's exit and said he's eager to work with Mourinho in an interview with Dutch newspaper NOS (h/t Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News):

"

I am looking forward to working with Mourinho. We will have to wait and see whether anything changes for me. I will just give my all and work hard. Mourinho is a manager who has achieved a lot and I am keen to work with him.

I might not be as big as Pepe, but I think I have shown in the Premier League that I can hold my own defensively. We conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League and I think we got the most clean sheets.

That's something to be proud of. I played nearly every game and that is a good feeling. You might be looking for a certain statement, but I will just give my all under Mourinho.

"

Any player would feel at least some temptation to listen to Barca's interest, but Blind appears eager to prove himself under the former Chelsea boss and remain with his club.

Blind featured exclusively at centre-back last season as the Red Devils formed one of the best defences in the Premier League, and Sky Sports News HQ compared his 2015-16 stats alongside those of his team-mates:

Barcelona could ignite their search for a centre-back if rumours of Javier Mascherano's move to Juventus prove genuine, with right-back Dani Alves also said to be making the switch to Turin, per Terrell.

Football writer Samuel Jay C thinks the Blaugrana would be purchasing a useful talent, too, owing to Blind's great versatility in a variety of positions:

Although the Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford as a central midfielder, it was at left-back that he impressed during the 2014 World Cup, and he has since come to thrive as a central defender.

Should Mascherano depart the Camp Nou, it would leave Gerard Pique as Barca's only senior, recognised centre-back, and Blind could be a ready-made replacement.