Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has confirmed his intention to leave the club this summer and reminisced about playing alongside Lisandro Martinez in defence.
Defender Timber had been a primary transfer target for Erik ten Hag – who coached him at Ajax – last summer prior to the 21-year-old’s decision to remain in Amsterdam for a further year.
Timber has this year been linked with a move to Liverpool with his girlfriend reported to be “house hunting” in Merseyside. The Reds are hopeful of making major renovations to their squad this summer after a disappointing season which will end trophyless and possibly outside the top four.
Timber is a central defender who is also capable of playing at right-back – albeit a position he has played in only sporadically in his career – and would theoretically add competition to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate for Liverpool in that position.
United are better stocked in the heart of their defence with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof all playing in the position this season, as well as Luke Shaw. Phil Jones also remains at the club while Axel Tuanzebe is also out on loan. However, the club will look to move on Maguire, Jones and Tuanzebe this summer.
Timber has now confirmed his intention of leaving Ajax this summer, telling an interview with De Telegraaf in the Netherlands: “A transfer is getting closer and closer, so to speak. There is a lot of concrete interest and I have made agreements with Ajax.
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“Last year, Ajax asked me to stay for at least one more season and to extend my contract. As a club boy I did that with love and after the season we agreed to review the situation.”
Timber previously played alongside United defender Martinez in the heart of the Ajax defence and he has spoken of his admiration for the Argentine international.
“I know how great it is to play alongside Lisandro,” the Dutchman has said. “Though my performances don’t depend on him only. We were amazing together, especially with communication. It doesn’t surprise me that he played so good for Manchester United before his injury.”
Timber is highly valued at both United and Liverpool but a deal may be complicated as both clubs resources are likely to be focused elsewhere this summer. United are prioritising signing a new striker and a goalkeeper, while they are in talks to sign right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool meanwhile are thought to be prioritising signing several new midfielders.
