Rio Ferdinand has told Mikel Arteta the Arsenal defender he would take out of the team to accommodate summer signing Jurrien Timber. The Gunners had been in talks with Ajax regarding Timber for a number of weeks and a final agreement has now been reached which will see him undergo an Arsenal medical in the coming days.
A £30 million offer was submitted in June and following lengthy discussions over the final fee and possible add-ons, football.london understands a deal worth £38.5m, with £34.2m as the up front fee and the remaining £4.5m available in add-ons, is in place to sign the Netherlands international.
The 22-year-old was deployed at right-back for the bulk of the 2022/23 season and it is expected he will continue there as he posses a trait Mikel Arteta loves.
The role of an inverted full-back is becoming more and more popular with Arteta a keen admirer of the tactical set up which includes one as was seen with the purchase and use of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Timber can also successfully perform in that role as he showcased many times in the Eredivisie last season with his composure on the ball also a massive plus. Versatility is another trait that Spaniard Arteta loves and is another positive for Timber as he can also play in the centre of defence.
Injuries at the back severely affected the Gunners last season, but the arrival of Timber is sure to soften that blow. Immediately being placed into Arteta's favoured back four is a real possibility for Timber but it is unknown in what position it will be, but Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has named the player he thinks will be replaced by Timber.
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Speaking about Timber on his FIVE YouTube show, via Metro, Ferdinand said: "He’s quick, he can play, he’s good on the ball and he’ll be a good addition to their team. I think he’s an improvement on what they’ve got as well. I’d probably look at it and say Timber and William Saliba would play.
"But I think it’s a good battle there. If Timber comes in and they’ve got Saliba, Gabriel, Ben White and Timber as a four, I’d be very, very comfortable with that if I was Mikel Arteta and think, 'that’s a good four'".
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