Arsenal CLOSING IN on Man Utd's top defensive target

Carlo Garganese

• 20 Jun 2023 08:35 BST
• 3 min read

In a bombshell story that broke overnight, Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.

That is according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, who reports that Arsenal have bid £30 million for the Dutchman.

Ajax are requesting £50m for the 22-year-old, whose contract expires in 2025.

READ MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

Ornstein reports that Arsenal are confident that a compromise in the middle can be reached.

Personal terms have already been agreed, leaving Arsenal in a strong position to complete the deal.

Arsenal have made the signing of a hybrid defender who can play at centre back and right back a priority for the summer transfer window.

The move for Timber comes as something of a surprise as it had been expected that Man Utd would return for him this summer.

Man Utd bid for Timber in 2022

Man Utd’s top target at centre back ahead of the 2022-23 season was Timber, who is massively appreciated by manager Erik ten Hag.

However, a transfer didn’t materialise for a couple of reasons.

First of all, Ajax were reluctant to sell and, secondly, the player himself was not convinced that he was ready for the move.

Indeed, Timber decided that it would be better for him to develop in Amsterdam for another year.

As a result, Timber stayed at Ajax and United moved to sign his teammate Lisandro Martinez instead.

Timber made 47 appearances for Ajax last season, while he has been capped 15 times by Netherlands.