According to renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal transfer target and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has given the organization the go-ahead to sign with them this summer.
Who will sign up with Arsenal this season?
After narrowly losing to eventual treble-winners Man City this past season, manager Mikel Arteta will be looking to fight for another Premier League crown the following year.
Despite holding the lead for the majority of 2022–23, Arsenal was overtaken by a tenacious City team that, at times, appeared unbeatable, especially towards the end of the season.
For Arsenal and transfer chief Edu, it’s back to the drawing board as they look to strengthen crucial spots in the lineup, with central midfield being a big area of concern.
Declan Rice, a standout for West Ham, has been the subject of rejected offers from Arsenal, and according to FC Inter News, there are some reports that a third offer has now been made, with the north Londoners reportedly proposing £86 million this time.
As negotiations for a move involving Southampton star Romeo Lavia advance and a deal on personal terms approaches, it is thought that they may make a number of signings in the midfield area (Football Insider).
While all of this is going on in the background, they are also trying to sign Timber from Ajax. Kai Havertz is also scheduled for a physical this weekend as he approaches a £65 million transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal.
The club is reportedly making a second try to recruit Timber after their first bid was rejected, and this comes after Arteta approved his signing as a priority objective, according to Romano.
Jurrien Timber: Who is he?
The Dutch international has been a fixture for Ajax over the past year, playing more Eredivisie minutes than any other player on their team in 2017–18 (WhoScored).
Timber is adaptable enough to move into a central defensive position and can play as an inverted full-back, like Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal, according to The Telegraph.
The defender is a perfect match for Arteta’s flowing style because of his stellar passing range and cool head under pressure.