EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal HIJACKED Timber from Man Utd and Liverpool

Steve Kay

• Updated: 23 Jun 2023 08:27 BST
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Arsenal hijacked Jurrien Timber from Manchester United and Liverpool, FootballTransfers has learned.

David Ornstein broke the news on Tuesday that Arsenal have tabled a £30 million bid for the Ajax defender as they put the focus on major summer transfers.

Ajax are requesting £50m for the 22-year-old, but there is optimism in north London about a successful conclusion to negotiations. Ornstein added that personal terms have already been agreed in principle.

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

And FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal began negotiations for Timber when they learned that Liverpool and Manchester United were stepping up their interest in the centre-back.

It is a similar scenario to the summer of 2022 when Arsenal were on the receiving end of a transfer hijack involving Ajax. On that occasion, United move in to sign Lisandro Martinez when Arsenal were in command.

Timber is pushing Ajax for a move to Arsenal, which adds to the optimism at the Emirates.

READ MORE: Arsenal CLOSING IN on Man Utd's top defensive target

We understand that Arsenal are planning to get their transfer business done early this summer, ideally before pre-season starts on July 19.

Arsenal are also in negotiations to sign Declan Rice from West Ham and Kai Havertz from Arsenal.

Arsenal to make new Rice bid

It has been reported in recent hours that Arsenal are set to make a formal bid to West Ham of £90m for Rice.

FootballTransfers understands that the total value of the offer could be £90m plus add-ons. However, West Ham are likely to reject that offer as they want £100m in order to sell their star.

Arsenal are looking to beef up their squad this summer as they return to the Champions League.

The Gunners fell away in the title race in the closing weeks of the 2022-23 season, allow Man City to win the league and eventually claim a treble.