Why Jurrien Timber has chosen Arsenal - Fabrizio Romano

Carlo Garganese

25 Jun 2023 10:20 BST
3 min read

Fabrizio Romano has explained the reasons why Jurrien Timber has opted to choose Arsenal as his next club.

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The Ajax centre back has agreed personal terms with Arsenal and is expected to complete a transfer to the Gunners once the two teams settle on a transfer fee.

Arsenal had an initial bid of around €35 million rejected but are set to launch a second offer of over €40m that should close or almost close the deal.

Romano says that Timber considers Arsenal as “the perfect project for his future” and that the club and manager Mikel Arteta “immediately convinced the player”.

The transfer journalist in particular singled out Arteta’s influence, reporting that the Spanish manager played a big role just as he did with the imminent signing of Kai Havertz.

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.

© ProShots - Timber is likely to leave Ajax 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.

Now Timber considers himself ready for the step up. Journalist Rudy Galletti said earlier this week that United could consider returning for Timber, but it seems this transfer is too far advanced now.

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