Jurrien Timber's proposed move to Manchester United is 'absolutely dead in the water' after he spoke to former Red Devils and now-Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal.
That's according to journalist Marcel van der Kraan, who said, via Sky Sports, that the 21-year-old will be staying at Ajax this summer after Van Gaal told the player that he could not guarantee him a place in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup if he moved and did not play. Timber has been capped five times by his national side since his debut last year.
This is all despite Timber being 'keen' on a move to Old Trafford before he spoke to Van Gaal. The player's agent had even reportedly travelled over to England a few weeks ago for talks with United's bosses and Der Kraan claimed negotiations were "very good". He added that money was never a problem between the two parties and Timber was set on reuniting with Erik Ten Hag before Van Gaal stepped in.
Timber, a centre-back who can also play on the right of defence, enjoyed an excellent season in the Eredivisie as Ajax lifted the title. He featured in every league game as the Amsterdam club pipped PSV and Feyenoord to win the league for the third time in four seasons.
With the Dutch international now set to remain at Ajax to secure a place in the World Cup squad, the Amsterdam club are keen to tie him down to a new contract. They have offered him a fresh deal and Timber's agents are currently in talks with them after he turned down a move to United.
It is considered to be a blow for massive blow for Ten Hag and United, who will now have to consider other targets in that position. Sky Sports reported that the Red Devils have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Timber's teammate Lisandro Martinez, who has been linked with a switch away from Ajax.
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The 24-year-old worked with Ten Hag for three seasons and has since cemented a place in the Argentina starting XI ahead of the World Cup. The Dutch manager is keen to bring Martinez to Old Trafford, although it is understood the player is 'attracted' by Arteta's project at Arsenal, who could also make a move for the left-sided centre-back.
United struggled at the back last season with skipper Harry Maguire often coming under fire for below-par performances, while Raphael Varane has failed to live up to the hopes some fans had when he joined the club from Real Madrid. Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones remain as the Red Devils' other senior centre-backs.
