Arsenal will sign Dutch international Jurrien Timber from Ajax in a deal worth £38.5million – after Erik ten Hag failed in his attempt to be reunited with the player at Manchester United.
Defender Timber had been a primary transfer target for United boss Ten Hag – who coached him at Ajax – last summer prior to the 21-year-old’s decision to remain in Amsterdam for a further year.
Timber has also been linked with a move to Liverpool this year with his girlfriend reported to be “house hunting” in Merseyside. The Reds are hopeful of making major renovations to their squad this summer after a disappointing season in which they finished outside the top four.
Timber is a central defender who is also capable of playing at right-back – albeit a position he has played in only sporadically in his career – and would theoretically have added competition to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate for Liverpool in that position.
United are better stocked in the heart of their defence with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof all, as well as Luke Shaw being deployed in that position. However, Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly are likely to join Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones on the club’s exit list this summer.
Have Your Say! How will Arsenal line-up their defence once they sign Timber ? Tell us what you think here.
Arsenal’s defence is centred around William Saliba with Gabriel often partnering the Frenchman left season, with Ben White deputising in a right-back role.
Ten Hag left stunned
Timber was always likely to be on the move this summer after insisting a year ago that he wished to spend the 2022/23 to continue developing at Ajax before moving on to pastures new.
As Mirror Football exclusively revealed back in June, Ten Hag was left 'stunned' that Timber rejected the chance to join United. He told the Red Devils boss that he would not be moving to Manchester before the World Cup in Qatar.
Ten Hag successfully signed Lisandro Martinez and Antony from the Amsterdam giants last summer but his attempts to sign Timber hit difficulties. It was no secret that he admired the Dutch international but was unable to advance a deal.
Timber’s advice to join Arsenal
Earlier this summer, former Ajax and Netherlands star Urby Emanuelson urged Timber to join Arsenal – because of their development of players in the same age bracket.
"Timber has had a few good years," Emanuelson said of the defender. "Maybe a little less last season, but in my opinion, he is a very great talent.
"I know that the Timber family is very good at planning the careers of the brothers. On the one hand, I think Jur is ready for the step. On the other hand, if you’ve had a lesser season at Ajax… I find it difficult to advise him.
"I would choose Arsenal. Why? They treat young players very well there. If you see how they deal with [Gabriel] Martinelli, [Martin] Odegaard, [Bukayo] Saka … They are all guys who are allowed to make mistakes and are made important at the same time.
"(He) has the potential to become the absolute top. That’s why Arsenal would be a good step. Arsenal is growing, they will build on that."
