Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is a priority defensive target for Arsenal during the summer transfer window
Arsenal look to be getting closer to signing Ajax defender Jurrien Timber as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his options at the back.
The north London outfit are said to be closing in on signing the Dutch international after agreeing a £40million deal. A move for Timber certainly makes a lot of sense for the Gunners considering his versatility, something that Arteta has consistently targeted in the past, particularly in the cases of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White
So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up everything we know about the 22-year-old’s future at the Johan Cruyff Arena below.
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal and Ajax are keen to wrap up a deal and talks are expected to accelerate this weekend.
Timber is said to have pushed to join the Gunners despite interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, impressed by Mikel Arteta’s project.
£40m transfer agreement reached
Arsenal have reportedly agreed an initial €42million (£36million) transfer fee to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. The deal could rise to €47million (£40million) if additional add-ons are met, as per De Telegraaf.
The report states that the Gunners have now reached a verbal agreement on a fee with Ajax, having already tied up personal terms on a ‘lucrative’ contract with Timber this week. All that remains before a transfer can be completed is a medical and paperwork.
Arsenal are entering the third day of talks with Ajax over a move for defender Jurrien Timber, following their second bid for the Dutch international. That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that there is confidence and optimism in reaching an agreement for the 22-year-old.
£43.5million deal close
According to CBS reporter James Benge, Timber is close to joining Arsenal in a £43.5m deal that is expected to be swiftly concluded in the next few days.
The Dutch defender is under contract at Ajax until 2025 but could now be set to complete a move to north London this week.
New proposal submitted
Arsenal have officially sent their second offer to Ajax for defender Jurrien Timber, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners saw their £30m opening bid rejected earlier this month, but have since agreed personal terms, and a new improved offer is expected to get the move over the line.
Verbal agreement
According to Dutch outlet Telegraaf, Timber has reached a verbal agreement with the Gunners on a contract until 2028.
The talented youngster is said to have agreed to a deal that will earn him €8million (£6.9million), double his current salary. A final fee being agreed is also now edging closer with €45m euros (£38.5m) reported as the expected cost.
Second bid prepared
Arsenal are preparing a second bid to send to Ajax for defender Jurrien Timber this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners saw their initial £30million offer turned down by the Eredivisie club, while football.london understands a much larger fee will be needed to prise him away.
According to De Telegraaf, Ajax are holding out for £50million in a deal, but it appears as though it could be much more likely that an agreement can be reached for less.
Personal terms advancing
Arsenal’s pursuit of Timber is advancing, with a full agreement on personal terms nearly done according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Writing on Twitter, Romano said: “Understand Arsenal are advancing on full agreement on personal terms with Jurrien Timber. The player has accepted to join Arsenal.
“#AFC Negotiations will follow between Ajax and Arsenal in the next hours and days. New bid expected soon.”
Mystery clause
According to Dutch journalist Johan Inan, Timber and Ajax agreed on a release clause when he extended his contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena last year.
The clause is said to become active in two weeks, although no exact figure has yet been disclosed.
Van Dijk approval
According to Dutch outlet Telegraaf, Timber has reached a verbal agreement with the Gunners on a contract until 2028.
The talented youngster is said to have agreed to a deal that will earn him €8million (£6.9million), double his current salary. A final fee being agreed is also now edging closer with €45m euros (£38.5m) reported as the expected cost.
Second bid prepared
Arsenal are preparing a second bid to send to Ajax for defender Jurrien Timber this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners saw their initial £30million offer turned down by the Eredivisie club, while football.london understands a much larger fee will be needed to prise him away.
According to De Telegraaf, Ajax are holding out for £50million in a deal, but it appears as though it could be much more likely that an agreement can be reached for less.
Personal terms advancing
Arsenal’s pursuit of Timber is advancing, with a full agreement on personal terms nearly done according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Writing on Twitter, Romano said: “Understand Arsenal are advancing on full agreement on personal terms with Jurrien Timber. The player has accepted to join Arsenal.
“#AFC Negotiations will follow between Ajax and Arsenal in the next hours and days. New bid expected soon.”
Mystery clause
According to Dutch journalist Johan Inan, Timber and Ajax agreed on a release clause when he extended his contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena last year.
The clause is said to become active in two weeks, although no exact figure has yet been disclosed.
Van Dijk approval
Despite criticism from some former Dutch internationals, Timber is highly rated by perhaps the most established player in the current setup, Virgil van Dijk.
“I wasn’t nearly as far along as he is now [at the same age],” Van Dijk said when asked about his compatriot last year. “I have nothing but praise for him.
“He is a great player and a true professional. He has so much potential.
“Hopefully he can develop further. Then it will be all right, I think.”
Sneijder warning
Former Inter Milan playmaker and Dutch legend Wesley Sneijder has previously highlighted one weakness in Timber’s game, his aerial ability.
“He’s a smart lad and a really good defender,” Sneijder told Dutch TV show Veronica Offside. “But he loses every header and in England – against those wardrobes in the Premier League – that will be his downfall.”
Bayern battle
Dutch De Telegraaf have reported that Timber has also attracted interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Fortunately for Arsenal though, it is claimed that the player would favour a move to the Gunners over Bayern. It is claimed that the 22-year-old is ‘certain’ to leave Ajax during the summer transfer window, with the north London outfit his most likely destination.
Manchester United links
Manchester United have long been linked with a switch for Jurrien Timber after making a move for the defender last summer, but missed out. It remains to be seen whether the Red Devils are back in the race for the defender now that Arsenal are making their own offer.
Broken silence
Timber broke his silence over his future at Ajax as the young defender enters the final two years of his contract with the Eredivisie side. He told reporters: “Will I stay with Ajax anyway? I’m not sure, I can’t say that. 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.”
Arsenal bid
Arsenal have made an opening approximate £30 million bid for Jurrien Timber. The Dutch international is valued significantly higher by Ajax and football.london understands the Gunners will need to improve their offer considerably to land the defender even with the two years remaining on his current deal.
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