Jurrien Timber has hinted he could stay at Ajax - just weeks after claiming he had an arrangement that would enable him to leave the club this summer.
The sought-after defender, 21, snubbed a move to Manchester United last summer but has re-emerged as a transfer target for Erik ten Hag, who worked with the Dutch international at Ajax. Timber has also been linked to United's bitter rivals, Liverpool, after his girlfriend was spotted house-hunting on Merseyside.
Timber himself fuelled speculation that he could be on the move in the coming weeks after teasing that a transfer was "getting closer and closer" last month and that he had an agreement with the Dutch giants after shunning interest from some of Europe's elite last year.
However, in a conversation aired on Ziggo Sports, via FootballTransfers, Timber has now refused to rule out the possibility of staying in Amsterdam. Timber said of his future: “Of course, we [Ajax] didn’t perform well this season, and that’s why I’m not shouting that I want to leave. I said ‘no’ to really big clubs last season. So I never feel like it’s time to go.
“But, you don’t know what next season will be like. Things were said to me at the beginning of the season that didn’t come true this season. I don’t know what it will be like next season either, so staying at Ajax this summer is not ruled out, no.”
Timber has clocked up over 100 appearances for Ajax since graduating from the club's famed academy and retaining his services would be a major coup for a side who have struggled since losing Ten Hag last summer.
Join the debate! Where do you think Timber is more likely to end up next season: Liverpool or Man Utd? Let us know here.
Timber had previously outlined earlier this month that he would only be open to leaving Ajax if three demands were met. He told Ziggo Sport, quoted by Voetbal Primeur: "For me it is the same situation as last season. If I say: I'm leaving, it has to fit. Playing style is important, playing minutes… Participating in the prizes is also important. My favourite country? I dare not say that.
"That's why I'm doing the same as last season. The chance is there, it can happen, but I’m also good here. I'm still young and everything suits me here. I’m going to take a look."
It remains to be seen where United would turn if Timber does decide to remain in Amsterdam. United are also believed to be in the market for a striker, a central midfielder and a goalkeeper - but the ongoing uncertainty over the club's ownership looks set to have a detrimental effect on Ten Hag's preparations for the 2023/24 campaign.
The Manchester United chief admitted earlier this month that he is still none the wiser over how much he'll actually have to spend in the transfer window. And with no end in sight to the ongoing takeover saga, any hope Ten Hag may have had of getting deals done early looks to be diminishing.
