Manchester United have been told that they could potentially be securing a bargain with a move for Jurrien Timber by his former Ajax teammate Ryan Gravenberch.
The promising Dutch defender has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer with incoming boss Erik ten Hag thought to be a big fan of his abilities. It remains to be seen whether the Red Devils will be able to seal a deal for his services with a number of doubts rising.
According to reports, Timber is not particularly convinced on a switch with former United and current Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal advising that it could put his place in the national team set-up under threat.
Of course, there is still plenty of time for the Red Devils to attempt to win the young defender over this window, with Ajax having put a £36m price-tag on the 21-year-old’s head heading into the summer. Whilst that appears to be a considerable price for a player so young and relatively inexperienced, his former teammate Gravenberch has predicted that he could be worth a lot more than that in the future.
Asked by Voetbal International who could be the next player to leave Ajax this summer, he selected both Timber and right-back Davy Rensch, with high prices being put on the pair.
The midfielder said: “I think they will both bring in a nice amount. If they still have a good and solid contract with Ajax, I think they will both leave for fifty to sixty million euros.”
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Of course, Ajax have already let go a number of their star players this summer. Gravenberch himself quit the club with a move to German giants Bayern Munich with the Bavarians having paid a reported £16m.
Meanwhile, Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui has followed the midfielder to the Allianz Arena with his contract in Amsterdam having expired. Star striker Sebastien Haller is also on the verge of a move away from the club this summer with a transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
The trio could well be followed by Timber, the Dutchman having caught the eye in the Eredivisie over recent campaigns. The mass exodus does not look likely to end there though with United also battling for the services of Brazilian wideman Antony, as well as Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez.
There appears to be a battle to secure the pair though with Ajax having put a huge fee on the wideman, whilst Arsenal are also reportedly interested in a move for Martinez as they too aim to bolster their defensive options ahead of the new season.
The Gunners have of course already sealed two deals this summer with the signing of Brazilian youngster Marquinhos, whilst Fabio Vieira has joined from FC Porto in a £34m. United are yet to kick off their summer business with a vast number of the squad having departed at the end of last season.
