Ajax defender Jurrrien Timber has reportedly completed his medical with Arsenal, who are now finalising the Dutchman's move to the Emirates Stadium.
The versatile 22-year-old - who can play as a centre-back or right-back - has been tipped to move to the Premier League since Erik ten Hag's appointment at Manchester United last year.
Ten Hag apparently wanted to bring Timber to Old Trafford with him last year, but the Red Devils instead opted to sign Argentina's Lisandro Martinez.
Timber subsequently remained at Ajax to enjoy another positive personal season, and he was recently seen attending Man United's FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
The Dutchman's appearance fuelled suggestions that Man United could reignite their interest this time around, while Bayern Munich are also rumoured to be admirers of the 22-year-old.
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However, Arsenal moved quickly to strike a deal with Ajax, who are understood to have accepted an initial fee of £34.2m from the Gunners, which could rise to £38.5m with add-ons.
Timber's brother all but confirmed the defender's move to the Emirates on social media over the weekend, as the Ajax man was thrown a farewell party, which included a photo of him in an Arsenal shirt on a large banner.
According to Sky Sports News, Timber has now successfully passed his medical with Arsenal, who are expected to announce the ex-Feyenoord product's signing later this week.
Timber is expected to pen a five-year deal with Arsenal until 2028, having been left impressed with Mikel Arteta's vision for the club and the progression of their project.
The 22-year-old has been on the books at Ajax for nine years since leaving Feyenoord in 2014 and has amassed a total of six goals and four assists in 121 games for the club in all tournaments.
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Timber was named the Eredivisie Player of the Year and Talent of the Year in the 2021-22 season, winning his second Dutch top-flight title in Ten Hag's final season in charge.
Ajax struggled to hit their previous heights in the 2022-23 campaign, but Timber still impressed with two goals and two assists from 47 matches in the heart of the backline.
Arteta is expected to deploy Timber as an inverted right-back in North London, in turn allowing Ben White to revert to a central role as competition and cover for Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
Having already spent £65m to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea, Arsenal are also expected to wrap up the British-record £105m signing of Declan Rice from West Ham United this week, ahead of their pre-season trip to the USA.
Havertz has travelled with the Arsenal squad to Germany for a pre-season training camp, and the Gunners will play their second friendly of the summer against Nurnberg on Thursday, having drawn 1-1 with Watford at London Colney over the weekend.
Ben Knapton
