Arsenal keen to secure deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber

Arsenal are said to be interested in signing Ajax defender Jurrien Timber this summer.

Following a second-place finish in the Premier League in 2022-23, Mikel Arteta will be given funding to make a number of big signings.

With Granit Xhaka potentially moving for Bayer Leverkusen, the midfield appears to be the priority, with Declan Rice and Romeo Lavia both linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium.

Furthermore, the Gunners are poised to finalise the signing of Kai Havertz in the near future, assuming they can agree on a fee with Chelsea.

Nonetheless, with Arsenal struggling for clean sheets in the latter stages of the season, it appears crucial that they add at least one new face to their defence.

According to The Athletic, it might come in the form of Ajax defender Timber, who has previously been linked with a move to the Premier League.

Manchester United, who had just hired new head coach Erik ten Hag, were said to be interested in signing the Netherlands international during the summer transfer window in 2022.

However, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot were impressive at right back last season, and United appear to be looking for alternatives to Timber.

The 22-year-old still appears to be in position for a chance in England's top division, with Arsenal set to negotiate terms with Ajax.

As things stand, valuations differ: Arsenal has only bid £30 million, while Ajax wants closer to £50 million.

Regardless of their conflicting positions, the report predicts that a solution will be struck eventually, with Timber's contract expiring in 2025 boosting the possibility.

Timber, who has made 121 appearances in all competitions for the Dutch giants, may be a useful asset to Arteta in terms of versatility.

He can play at right-back and center-back, similar to Ben White, and the indication is that he might play on the left, similar to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who frequently advances to link with the midfield.

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