Arsenal have had a £30 million bid rejected by Ajax for defender Jurrien Timber, but ‘positive discussions’ are still taking place.
While personal terms are believed to be agreed with the player, Ajax are thought to value the 22-year-old defender closer to £50 million, with news of the first bid revealed by What we know so far about Timber
Able to play at both centre-back and right-back, Timber’s addition would provide well needed cover for Arsenal. In last season’s run-in the Gunners found themselves compromised following long-term injuries to William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Speaking to the HaytersTV podcast, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth confirmed although West Ham’s Declan Rice and Chelsea’s Kai Havertz remain the club’s primary focus, the Gunners are looking to strengthen the whole team. “The primary focus is on Declan Rice and Kai Havertz,” Sheth said. “Those are the two they appear to pushing most at the moment, but there’s also another position they [Arsenal] want to strengthen in which is central defence. “They want to strength in all areas of the pitch so [Mikel] Arteta has a squad that whatever the game, the drop off isn’t as big. Someone like a Jurrien Timber they’re looking at him. “A bid’s been rejected but I’m told talks are positive and there’s encouragement that he wants to join the club.” Known for his composure on the ball and passing range, the Dutch international will be able to offer sufficient competition to both Ben White and Saliba. Mikel Arteta wants to compete in Arsenal’s return to the Champions League and competitively in the Premier League, and a player of Timber’s quality can only mean good news for the Gunners. Arsenal opened the bidding for Timber’s former Ajax teammate Lisandro Martinez last summer, before ultimately missing out on the Argentine to Manchester United. Now, the roles appear reversed in this transfer window, with the Red Devils long-term admirers of the Dutchman. Arteta is known for signing players who are versatile, with Tomiyasu able to be utilised as a both-sided fullback. Jakub Kiwior also demonstrated his suitability as a back-up to Oleksandr Zinchenko at left fullback against Wolves in the final game of the season. The transfer of Timber could see Kieran Tierney’s potential departure from the club accelerated with the Scotsman seeking more first team opportunities.
