Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'have concrete and serious interest in Jurrien Timber'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 30 May 2022

Man United 'have concrete and serious interest in Timber'

Manchester United's interest in Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is 'concrete and serious', according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Manchester United's interest in Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is reportedly 'concrete and serious', with the Red Devils keen to secure his signature during this summer's transfer window.

The club will sign at least one new centre-back in the upcoming market, with the likes of Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe set to leave ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

Timber has been strongly linked with a switch to Old Trafford over the last few months, and according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the English giants have a 'concrete and serious' interest in the Netherlands international.

Romano claims that a proposed deal is 'in its early stages', and Ajax have offered the defender a new short-term contract, in the hope of keeping him at the club.

The 20-year-old impressed for his Dutch club during the 2021-22 campaign, making 43 appearances in all competitions, contributing three goals and two assists in the process, playing a leading role under Erik ten Hag, who has now taken charge of Man United.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on May 22, 2022 © Reuters

Timber scored three times and registered two assists in 30 league appearances during the 2021-22 season, helping the Amsterdam giants win the title.

Meanwhile, he also played eight times in the Champions League, with Ajax reaching the last-16 stage of the competition before losing to Benfica.

The six-time Netherlands international only has little over two years left to run on his current deal, and it is believed that he could be available for a fee in the region of £30m.

Timber is said to be open to the idea of following Ten Hag to Old Trafford this summer, although he recently insisted that he is not in a rush to move clubs.

"I'm good at Ajax. I can still learn a lot, especially if we continue to play in the Champions League," Timber told Het Parool.

"He deserves it (the Man United job). Ten Hag has been very important to me personally. Under him I became the footballer, the man I am today. The coach talked to me a lot. He's been very critical, in a good, constructive way. I won't forget it any time soon."

New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, Mitchell van der Gaag, director of football John Murtough, Steve McClaren and chief executive officer Richard Arnold in the stands on May 22, 2022 © Reuters

Timber spent six years in the Feyenoord youth system before making the move to Ajax, progressing through their various age groups before debuting for the first team in 2019.

The defender has made 74 appearances for the Amsterdam giants in all competitions, contributing four goals and two assists in the process.

Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane all struggled for consistency during the 2021-22 campaign, but the trio are expected to remain at Old Trafford, with a new centre-back set to be signed to complement the current group.

Villarreal's Pau Torres is also said to be a leading target for the 20-time English champions, while Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly, Ajax's Lisandro Martinez and Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni have also been linked with switches to the club in the upcoming market.