For the second successive summer, Jurrien Timber is being linked with a move to the Premier League as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster Arsenal's defensive options.
And it would appear that the Gunners will benefit from the Netherlands international not sealing a switch to Manchester United as he remained at Ajax to gain more experience - particularly in the Champions League despite a disappointing campaign - for another year and is now ready for a new challenge.
"A transfer is getting closer and closer, so to speak," he said when speaking to De Telegraaf back in April. "There is a lot of concrete interest and I have made agreements with Ajax. Last year, Ajax asked me to stay for at least one more season and to extend my contract. As a club boy, I did that with love, and after the season we will review the situation.
"At the Dutch national team, I often talk to boys who play football abroad. I want to take that step someday. But when that is, you will eventually hear and it will happen in consultation with Ajax. I'm still here anyway and I’m in no hurry. The focus is now on the cup final and the remainder of the competition."
Had it not been for the 2022 FIFA World Cup taking place right bang in the middle of the season just gone, Timber may be a Man United player right now. After all, there were suggestions that Louis van Gaal advised the defender against a move due to fear over a lack of game time to harm his chances of a call-up.
However, both Timber and the former Man United boss have since denied those claims. In fact, the former has even gone on record stating van Gaal was supportive of a potential transfer: "Many things that are written in the media are false," he told Dutch outlet AD. "Like when people say that it was Louis van Gaal who told me not to go to Manchester United. He actually said I would make minutes there."
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With Man United's loss looking like it will be the Gunners' gain once a fee is agreed and all the formalities are sorted, it is worth remembering that Timber finds himself in a not-too-dissimilar situation as he was last summer when weighing up his options to leave Ajax.
A major international tournament is looming and while van Gaal has since been replaced by Ronald Koeman, it can be argued that it's somewhat of a risk for the 22-year-old to join a club like Arsenal where he won't be a guaranteed starter as long as William Saliba and Benjamin White are available for selection.
However, unlike 12 months ago, moving clubs shouldn't necessarily affect his chances of being named in the Netherlands squad for the UEFA European Championships should they qualify. Of course, with the Premier League calendar resuming normal service, the international tournament will take place in Germany after the season concludes.
Considering the Gunners are in the Champions League and the need for squad rotation throughout the season to challenge for the title as well as going far in the domestic cup competitions, Timber should get his fair share of opportunities under Arteta thus keeping him in contention for a potential Euro 2024 squad inclusion.
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