The 25-year-old Holland forward was consistently linked with a move away from the Amsterdam ArenA this summer, but last season's Eredivisie runners-up never contemplated letting Huntelaar leave - even when offered a fee reportedly in the region of 40million euros.

"It was our policy to do everything we could to keep him here," Blind told www.ajax.nl. "He is our top scorer and our captain. We didn't deviate from that policy.

"It is correct that we got a few mega offers on the last day. But we of course won't sell a player of his calibre just like that.

"That has a sporting and financial reason, simply because it's too late to sign a reinforcement. And even if you could do that and want that you have to pay the highest reward.

"And you (would not be able to) explain it to the people of the club and also not to our fans."