Manchester United-linked Jurrien Timber addresses transfer talk

Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has said that his "gut feeling" will be key when it comes to deciding his future.

The 20-year-old is believed to be a leading transfer target for Manchester United, with the English club's new head coach Erik ten Hag said to be determined to bring his former defender to Old Trafford.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils have a 'concrete and serious' interest in the Netherlands international, who made 43 appearances for Ajax during the 2021-22 campaign, contributing three goals and two assists in the process.

There have been suggestions that the centre-back could be available for a fee in the region of £30m, and Man United are regarded as the favourites despite interest from elsewhere.

Timber is currently on international duty and has revealed that he will "have to think" about his future once he has had a holiday next month.

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"In the end, my gut feeling will be the deciding factor," De Telegraaf quotes Timber as saying. "The picture has to be right.

"You can go to a big club. But if you're not going to play there it's better to stay with Ajax. And Ajax is also a big club. We play football in the Champions League and I play there together with the best players in the Netherlands. That is not nothing.

"Of course, I can develop further [at Ajax]. I am 100% sure of that. I don't feel like I'm done at the club. But I can also develop at other clubs. I am now focusing on the upcoming international matches and then go on holiday. Then I'll have to think about it some more."

The six-time Netherlands international only has little over two years left to run on his current deal, meaning that Ajax are not in a strong position to demand a high transfer fee.

Timber recently said that he was "good at Ajax" but also paid tribute to Ten Hag, branding the new Man United boss "very important" to his development.

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"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."

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

Man United are expected to sign at least one new centre-back this summer, with Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe potentially all leaving the club in the upcoming market.

The 20-time English champions have also been strongly linked with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, but the Netherlands international said on Tuesday that he wants to remain at Camp Nou.

Man United are due to begin pre-season training at the end of June, although those involved for their countries in the upcoming internationals will have a longer period off.