Arsenal look to have finalised the transfer of Jurrien Timber with just one final task left to complete after a verbal agreement was reached with Ajax. The 22-year-old is expected to officially become summer signing number three with Kai Havertz's move from Chelsea already being announced and Declan Rice's record-breaking switch to Emirates Stadium from West Ham to be confirmed soon.
Completing all three transfers will see Arsenal's spending hit over £200million with several marquee additions made to Mikel Arteta's squad. A defensive acquisition was always expected in north London this summer with Edu keeping a watchful eye on Ivan Fresneda and Mohamed Simikan, but they opted to make a formal approach for Timber with a £30million offer last month.
The Netherlands international staying at Ajax last summer amid strong interest from Manchester United made a move 12 months on far easier, but the opening proposal was rejected. In the weeks following, the Gunners seemed to prioritise deals for Havertz and Rice, however they soon returned with an improved offer.
According to De Telegraaf, that offer included an initial €42million (£36million) transfer fee to sign Timber with it possible the deal could rise to €47million (£40million) if additional add-ons are met. A full verbal agreement has now been met with the official paperwork the only remaining thing left to sort before he travels to England.
The Gunners clearly expect that to be soon as, per CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, a medical for Timber has been scheduled for the upcoming week with the clear aim being to announce the transfer this week alongside Rice. When exactly those confirmations could arrive may have been hinted by Arsenal themselves with the club blocking off July 3 and 8 for stadium tours due to 'club activity'.
Despite interest from Bayern Munich, Timber had his heart set on a move to Arsenal after speaking to Arteta. During the 2022/23 season, he mostly played at right-back but often inverted, like what Oleksandr Zinchenko did from the left, to offer the Dutch giants an extra body in midfield with his composure on the ball making a highly useful player.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Rice and Timber announcements, Laporte interest, Lavia talks
Just in case Arsenal needed any more clarification of the player they are signing, his fellow international teammate has sung his praises. "I wasn’t nearly as far along as he is now [at the same age],” Van Dijk said when asked about his compatriot last year. “I have nothing but praise for him.
"He is a great player and a true professional. He has so much potential. Hopefully, he can develop further. Then it will be all right, I think.”
