Arsenal tabled a £30 million offer to sign Jurrien Timber, with Ajax wanting a £50 million fee for the versatile defender.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal are pursuing a deal for Jurrien Timber. The £50 million-rated versatile defender emerged as a surprise target on Mikel Arteta’s list. The Gunners have already tabled an offer for the Dutchman.
David Ornstein broke the late Monday news about Arsenal’s offer for Jurrien Timber. The Athletic correspondent claimed the Gunners had tabled a £30 million bid to tempt Ajax. The Eredivisie giants are holding out for a significant sum to sell the £50 million-rated versatile defender.
That is the price the Eredivisie club want in exchange for one of their prized assets. But the Gunners are unlikely to go that distance. Ornstein said there had been positive talks between the sides so far, and there is optimism they could reach a compromise.
He also insisted personal terms are in place, which indicated Arsenal’s talks with the player’s camp. It does seem like the Gunners have done plenty of groundwork and now only have to agree on a fee with Ajax for the £50 million-rated versatile defender.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal working on deal to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. #AFC have made an opening offer worth ~£30m. #Ajax want ~£50m but optimism a compromise will be reached. Personal terms with Netherlands int’l thought to be in place @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/mdMeSXp3ff
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 19, 2023
The news surprised many, considering Arsenal were never credited with an interest in the Dutchman. In fact, Manchester United and Liverpool were considerably linked with the Ajax star. However, those clubs might have taken a different route already, leaving the Gunners with a clear patch to sign the 22-year-old.
There are concerns from some sections of the fan base for the similarities to Arsenal’s failed pursuit of Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine went for nearly double what the Gunners offered and joined Manchester United.
The way Arsenal pivoted last summer towards alternative targets, like Oleksandr Zinchenko. This time, they have other options than Timber too. Mikel Arteta has always wanted a new versatile right-sided defender who can play right-back or centrally.
Timber has tremendous qualities to play both those positions or more, and his numbers are fantastic. Arsenal were also linked with Joao Cancelo. But the Manchester City defender’s price tag may have thrown them off the pursuit.
As for Timber, he will be a solid addition to this side that struggled without proper quality on the right side of defence late in the season. Despite his astute fitness record, they cannot rely on Ben White to play the whole season. Also, Takehiro Tomiyasu has had a susceptible record since coming to north London.
