Man Utd, Liverpool hopes over as Arsenal hit transfer jackpot for Ajax star after ‘secret talks’ with Edu
Arsenal are hoping to soon finalise a second deal of the week after reports in the Netherlands revealed an agreement with Ajax over Jurrien Timber is imminent.
The Gunners are looking to make a fast start to the summer window to ensure their excellent progress in 2022/23 can be built upon. Indeed, after finishing second, Arsenal will hope to challenge for the title once again and make their mark in the Champions League.
As a result, the club are pushing to make several early and sizeable moves in the transfer market.
To kick things off, Arsenal have on Wednesday reached an agreement with Chelsea over a deal for Kai Havertz. They will pay an initial £60m for the Germany forward, with a further £5m in add-ons. The 24-year-old will now undergo a medical with one journalist explaining why Arsenal cannot believe their luck over the transfer.
The Gunners, though, also have a number of other irons in the fire. To that end, talks over the signings of midfield duo Declan Rice and Romeo Lavia are ongoing as they look to close on both agreements.
Prior to those, however, the Gunners are also making rapid strides in their quest to sign Timber.
The Ajax defender has indicated his desire to leave Ajax this summer and take his career to the next level. That has seen the 22-year-old strongly linked with a move to Liverpool, and amid claims his girlfriend has been seen house-hunting on Merseyside.
Manchester United, though, have also been credited with an interest. Erik ten Hag tried to sign Timber last summer, only to see his efforts waved away.
Arsenal close on Jurrien Timber signing
But Timber’s attendance at last month’s FA Cup final rekindled talk a move to United was on the cards.
However, it emerged on Tuesday that is was Arsenal who were now leading the chase for his services.
After De Telegraaf revealed that ‘secret talks’ had been held between the player and the club prior to the cup final, Arsenal have since seen an opening offer of £30m rejected for his services.
Hopes, though, that an agreement can soon be reached are growing for Arsenal.
And according to multiple reports in the Netherlands, Timber has indicated his strong desire to join the Gunners.
Furthermore, De Telegraaf claims the Dutch club’s recently-appointed head coach Maurice Steijn understands the player’s ‘enormous desire’ to make the switch.
Bayern Munich are also reportedly considering an approach of their own for the 15-times capped Netherlands star.
However, Timber is angling for the Premier League as a priority. As such, Arsenal are described as being a ‘street level’ ahead in transfer proceedings.
As a result, there is a growing belief in the Dutch media that a move to Arsenal for Timber will soon go through.
Timber was recently asked whether he would still be an Ajax player next season.
However, the versatile defender was not exactly pinning his colours to the mast.
“Will I stay with Ajax anyway? I’m not sure, I can’t say that,” he said.
“I’m not in talks with Ajax now. My agent had a good talk a few times, but it’s not like we’re talking about anything right now.”
The final fee for Timber is likely to be between €40m – €45m (£34.4m – £38.7m) per reports.
