Jurrien Timber has been advised to sign for Arsenal this summer from Ajax after the Gunners submitted their first transfer offer for the defender. Late into Monday evening, news broke out from the Athletic that a shock £30million bid had been made by Arsenal for the Dutch international but Ajax had no intention of accepting the opening offer.
With Mikel Arteta hoping to strengthen his defensive options, a marquee addition at the back was expected, but Timber seemed relatively low down on the wish list. There is interest from Arsenal, along with Manchester United, but moves for Mohamed Simakan, Marc Guehi and Edmond Tapsoba appeared more likely.
However, signing Timber does make perfect sense given his tactical versatility, a trait that Mikel Arteta is very well-known for loving. For the majority of the 2022/23 season, Timber was deployed at centre-back but he is capable of also playing at right-back and in midfield, another two positions where some depth being secured is wanted.
Because of those qualities, Ajax are demanding at least £50million to sanction an exit, and although there is a significant gap between Arsenal's opening bid and the asking price, there is optimism a compromise can be reached. Like with the Gunners' main target Declan Rice, personal terms being agreed are unlikely to be an issue.
Knowing of Arsenal's intent and as they look likely to lose out on Kim Min-jae to Bayern Munich, Man United could make their own offer in the coming days. However, Timber, as a 22-year-old who will likely have a bright future in the game, has been given a clear reason to pick Emirates Stadium over Old Trafford by former Ajax midfielder Urby Emanuelson who name dropped Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.
“Timber has had a few good years," he said on Voetbal Primeur's Done Deal podcast, via Sport Witness. "Maybe a little less last season, but in my opinion, he is a very great talent.
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“I would choose Arsenal. Why? They treat young players very well there. If you see how they deal with Martinelli, Odegaard, Saka … They are all guys who are allowed to make mistakes and are made important at the same time.
“(He) has the potential to become the absolute top. That’s why Arsenal would be a good step. Arsenal is growing, they will build on that.”
