MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 16:22:19| >> :60:77:77:

Arsenal 'make second bid for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber'

Arsenal 'make second bid for Jurrien Timber'
© Reuters
Arsenal reportedly make a second bid for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, who has already given the green light to a five-year deal at the Emirates.

Arsenal have reportedly come forward with a second official bid for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.

The Gunners are understood to have failed with an opening proposal of £30m for the Dutchman, who has also been linked with Manchester United since Erik ten Hag's arrival at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils pushed for the signing of Timber last summer before capturing Lisandro Martinez instead, and the former was seen attending their FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City earlier this month.

However, Arsenal have now emerged as the favourites to bring Timber to the Premier League, and the 22-year-old is understood to be pining for a move to the Emirates Stadium.

After falling short of Ajax's valuation with their first bid, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal have now made their second official offer and are edging closer to an agreement.

Ajax defender Jurrien Timber pictured in April 2021© Reuters

Romano states that Arsenal's second bid is worth between €45m (£38.5m) and €48m (£41m), and there is confidence that a deal will be completed imminently.

Mikel Arteta's team were already believed to have reached a verbal agreement with Ajax over the signing of Timber, who has apparently already agreed terms on a five-year contract.

Timber is understood to 'love' the project that Arteta is building at Arsenal, and the centre-back will earn a yearly wage of €8m (£6.8m) in North London, twice as much as he currently pockets with Ajax.

Timber has spent the last nine years in an Ajax jersey since leaving Feyenoord's academy in 2014, and the 22-year-old has amassed six goals and four assists from 121 games for the Amsterdam giants.

The Netherlands international - who can play as a right-back but occupied a central role during the 2022-23 season - came up with two goals and two assists in 47 matches last term, starting all six of Ajax's matches in the Champions League.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on May 28, 2023© Reuters

Timber boasts two Eredivisie titles and one KNVB Beker crown with Ajax, while he was also named the Eredivisie's Player of the Year for the 2021-22 campaign and boasts 15 caps for the Netherlands, appearing as an unused substitute in the recent Nations League finals.

While Arsenal are known to be prioritising midfield reinforcements, defensive additions have also been on Arteta's agenda ahead of the anticipated exits of Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Cedric Soares.

The Gunners boss is apparently planning to revert Ben White to a central role next season as cover for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, which could see Timber battle for the right-back spot with the injury-plagued Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The experienced Cedric is supposedly keen to stay and fight for his place at Arsenal, but he is only under contract until 2024 and would be pushed further down the pecking order by the arrival of Timber.

The Ajax man could become Arsenal's second signing of the summer window after Kai Havertz, whose £65m arrival from Chelsea will likely be confirmed this week.

ID:517057:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5746:

Click here for more stories about Jurrien Timber

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Ajax defender Jurrien Timber pictured in October 2022
Read Next:
Arsenal 'reach verbal agreement over Jurrien Timber deal'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!