Arsenal have 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, according to De Telegraaf.
football.london understands that the Gunners are keen to bolster their options at the back, with Mikel Arteta interested in Timber. Arsenal had an opening bid of £30million rejected by the Eredivisie giants last week but were expected to return with an improved proposal.
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.
Bayern Munich were among the clubs interested in signing Timber this summer, but it now seems the player will complete a move to the Emirates Stadium if he passes a medical. The talented youngster is said to have agreed to a deal that will earn him €8million (£6.9million) - double his current salary.
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 22-year-old clearly has the right mentality to fit in with Arteta's squad highlighted by his reaction to Ajax missing out on the Eredivisie title last term.
"We failed to win the title this year - and when that happens as an Ajax player, you have to feel ashamed," Timber said at the end of last season. "That is not a usual thing for Ajax and it is not usual for me.
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"All through my career, right from the youth academy, I have been used to winning titles. We have been brought up in an atmosphere of fighting for trophies and that is what I want.
"But everything that has happened in my career, including the year when I didn't win the league, has made me stronger and has made me more convinced that I am a leader. Definitely."
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