Jose Mourinho has highlighted Jurrien Timber, a summer target for Manchester United, as a player he wants at Roma.
The Special One is looking to bolster his backline at the Stadio Olimpico and may pursue the Ajax centre-half, who was among those to be linked with an Old Trafford switch. Erik ten Hag has raided his former club for several players but Timber opted to remain in Amsterdam.
Ajax have a reputation of selling their top stars for big money when the time is right - and that may again be the case with Timber. Bayern are also reportedly interested in the 21-year-old which could prove problematic for Roma if they do engage in a bidding war.
Reports previously claimed Timber was warned off moving to Manchester by Dutch boss Louis van Gaal, who of course spent two years in charge at Old Trafford from 2014 to 2016. He suggested that a move to the Premier League would hamper his chance of international involvement ahead of the World Cup.
Speaking at a press conference in May, Van Gaal said: "I think a player of his quality can play in the Premier League. That is not a problem. If he has to make this big step now, that's the question. It is not so wise I think (to move to United). He has to play.”
Timber though has claimed Van Gaal in fact told him that he would benefit from a switch to Manchester. He told Dutch outlet AD : "Many things that are written in the media are false. Like when people say that it was Louis van Gaal who told me not to go to Manchester United.
"He actually said I would make minutes there."
If Roma are unsuccessful they will look to turn their attention; Roma also like Evan Ndicka, who will see his contract at Eintracht Frankfurt expire, but is also on Juventus ' radar.
The capital outfit, who last term won the Europa Conference League, have conceded seven times in as many games in Serie A so far this term. That included a 4-0 reverse against Udinese, although they have kept three clean sheets.
Timber has previously said on his next move: “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.”
