Arsenal have made their move for their defensive priority target this summer. Despite links to several players, the Gunners have again returned to the Eredivisie heavyweights in search of reinforcement to the back line.
Arsenal have made an opening approximate £30 million bid for Jurrien Timber. The Dutch international is valued significantly higher by Ajax and football.london understands the Gunners will need to improve their offer considerably to land the defender even with the two years remaining on his current deal.
Arsenal made a move for Lisandro Martinez last summer but the player’s preference to remain under the coaching of Erik ten Hag saw him make the switch to Manchester United instead despite the north London side coming close to an agreement. United have been a club also keen on Timber and Arsenal would be taking something of a revenge move on their old rivals by landing the Dutchman.
Timber is the perfect profile for what Arsenal want and it is no surprise he is one of the priority defensive targets of the summer. football.london understands that Ivan Fresneda remains a target but a move is not a priority at the moment.
Timber fulfils the desire to bolster competition for both William Saliba and Ben White. Although there is versatility to play at right-back, at club level he played exclusively at centre-half last season on the right of a back two and this is by far and away his best position.
Devyne Rensch was the starting right-back and replacement for the summer exit of Noussair Mazrouai. Even when Rensch was injured, Timber continued at centre-half with Jorge Sanchez coming into the full-back position.
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In Timber’s last game for the Netherlands, though, he did play right-back in a 4-0 defeat to France. He has not started since and did come under some scrutiny, as did the whole Dutch backline for the performance in Paris.
However, it is clear that this move is to be the competitive option with William Saliba. To give Mikel Arteta the chance to rest and rotate if need be without quality diminishing.
It is also why a move for a right-back is not yet ruled out, with the potential for more variation in options come the end of the window. But Timber certainly is a move that should grab attention, Arsenal will just be hoping not too much.
