Arsenal have pounced in ahead of Liverpool and Manchester United to sign Ajax star Jurrien Timber. The Gunners made a £30M bid for him.
Timber was about to join Eric Ten Hag’s Manchester United last summer from Ajax. But he decided to stay with the Dutch side for another season.
Ten Hag admires the Dutch centre-back a lot and reportedly was again interested to sign him in winter. Now new reports surface saying the Red Devils are again to make a move for him this summer.
The Dutchman signed a new contract at Ajax which will last until the summer of 2025. But reports claimed back in March that he ‘asked his representatives to explore the chances of a summer transfer away’.
During that time one source close to the Dutch club said,
“Ten Hag would take Timber tomorrow’ if presented the opportunity, and that Timber would play anywhere for the manager who introduced him to senior football.”
Jurrien Timber closer to join Arsenal instead of Liverpool
Liverpool have been heavily linked with Timber in recent weeks alongside names like Levi Colwill and Nayef Aguerd.
But according to transfer expert David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal are the ones who ‘have submitted a proposal worth £30m’ for Timber.
However, Ajax wants closer to £50M for the 22-year-old, although ‘there is optimism a compromise can be reached between the two clubs’. It is also believed that personal terms are also in place between the two parties.
Timber is a ball-playing defender who is solid at both centre-back and right-back positions. He made 34 appearances for Ajax last season and has already made 15 appearances for the Dutch national team.
Liverpool could have really utilized the versatile defender in the next coming seasons. The club is looking for a player like him and has already been in contact with Jules Kounde and Benjamin Pavard. The saga would be an interesting one to keep a watch on.
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