Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is determined to secure a move to Arsenal amid interest from Bayern Munich, according to De Telegraaf’s Mike Verweij.
The Gunners opened talks with the Dutch outfit recently, and they have already made an opening bid of €35 million that has been turned down.
Ajax currently value him at €60m, but Verweij believes they could be prepared to negotiate a package between €40-50m for their graduate.
Meanwhile, there has been talk of Bayern’s interest in the versatile star, but Verweij insists that Arsenal are ‘his dream and priority’ and he has no plans to listen to offers from elsewhere.
Verweij said: “Timber has said from the very first moment that he only wants to leave Ajax for an absolute top club.”
“Even Bayern, who have not yet made an offer, are still waiting, because Arsenal are his dream & priority. He doesn’t listen at all to other clubs.
“Ajax & Arsenal really still have to negotiate about the transfer fee, but Timber has also been promised to think along.
“So there is an agreement [to let him leave]. No fixed transfer fee. Ajax bet on €60m. I think they will come out between €40m & €50m.”
Arsenal favourites to land Timber from Ajax
Arsenal are currently in pole position to sign the Dutch international, and the onus is on the hierarchy to try and find a suitable agreement.
Timber has already given the green light for a transfer, and this provides the Gunners with some leeway to negotiate on the final transfer fee.
In our opinion, manager Mikel Arteta is planning to use Timber as an inverted right-back, similar to Oleksandr Zinchenko on the opposite end.
Ben White had a good season from the full-back position, but Timber would be an upgrade with his composure and better pass accuracy.
Timber also likes to make more progressive passes and progressive runs, and could perfectly complement Zinchenko, who has similar attributes.
Timber’s biggest asset is his versatility. He primarily plays at the heart of the defence for Ajax. His arrival negates Arsenal’s need to spend on another centre-back.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
