Arsenal are on the verge of completing a £40million deal to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. The Dutch defender has completed his medical tests after being spotted in London last weekend and is set to be confirmed as the Gunners' second summer signing.
The 22-year-old has his heart set on a move to the Emirates Stadium and sees Arsenal as the perfect club for the next step in his career. The north Londoners identified Timber as the perfect man to bolster their defensive options, with the Dutch international establishing himself as one of Eredivisie's most consistent centre-backs in recent seasons.
So, with all of that being said, football.london has rounded up everything we know about his future at the Johan Cruyff Arena below.
Jurrien Timber £40m transfer to Arsenal 'confirmed'
Jurrien Timber's brother, Shamier, has all but confirmed the Dutchman's £40million transfer to Arsenal from Ajax with a post on social media. The 22-year-old defender has completed a medical with the Gunners this weekend and is set to be announced as an Arsenal player next week.
In a post on Instagram, Timber's brother revealed a picture of the Dutch defender's Ajax leaving party ahead of his move to Arsenal. The picture shown the 22-year-old wearing an Arsenal shirt with the message: "Jurrien's goodbye party! See you in the streets of London."
READ MORE:Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Declan Rice 'confirmed', Tchouameni move, Mbappe deal, Wahi race
Star spotted
Jurrien Timber has been spotted at Ajax's friendly match against Den Bosch FC on Saturday, where his current side drew 2-2, but he didn't feature in the squad. The defender is believed to have completed his medical with Arsenal ahead of a move this summer, but is currently spending time back in the Netherlands for now.
Timber in London for medical tests
According to Fabrizio Romano, Timber has arrived in London and is set to undergo medical tests ahead of a £40million transfer to Arsenal. The Gunners are set to announce the signings of the Dutch defender and West Ham captain Declan Rice by the end of this week.
Full agreement reached
According to the Athletic, Arsenal have reached full agreement with Ajax to sign defender Jurrien Timber.
The north Londoners are said to be paying €40million (£34.3million) plus €5million (£4.3million) in bonuses for the versatile 22-year-old. Timber has also been granted permission to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms with Mikel Arteta's men.
Medical booked
Arsenal have started preparations for the transfer of Jurrien Timber from Ajax now a verbal agreement has been reached with just the official paperwork to sign.
According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, the Gunners have also booked a medical for the 22-year-old as they aim to finalise summer moves for him and Declan Rice in the coming days.
Training decision
Jurrien Timber has made a significant training decision that could hint his transfer to Arsenal is imminent.
According to Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad (AD), the 22-year-old was not present for Ajax's first outdoor training session to begin preparations for the 2023/24 campaign.
Fresh timeline to finalise transfer
Arsenal are getting closer to signing Ajax defender Jurrien Timber in the summer transfer window.
After talks took place over the weekend, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that sources close to the deal expect Timber's transfer to the Gunners to be complete by some point next week with precise payment terms still being discussed before a medical will be scheduled.
Weekend talks planned
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal and Ajax are keen to wrap up a deal and talks are expected to accelerate this weekend.
Timber is said to have pushed to join the Gunners despite interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, impressed by Mikel Arteta's project.
£40m transfer agreement reached
Arsenal have reportedly agreed an initial €42million (£36million) transfer fee to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. The deal could rise to €47million (£40million) if additional add-ons are met, as per De Telegraaf.
The report states that the Gunners have now reached a verbal agreement on a fee with Ajax, having already tied up personal terms on a 'lucrative' contract with Timber this week. All that remains before a transfer can be completed is a medical and paperwork.
Fresh negotiations
Arsenal are entering the third day of talks with Ajax over a move for defender Jurrien Timber, following their second bid for the Dutch international. That's according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that there is confidence and optimism in reaching an agreement for the 22-year-old.
£43.5million deal close
According to CBS reporter James Benge, Timber is close to joining Arsenal in a £43.5m deal that is expected to be swiftly concluded in the next few days.
The Dutch defender is under contract at Ajax until 2025 but could now be set to complete a move to north London this week.
New proposal submitted
Arsenal have officially sent their second offer to Ajax for defender Jurrien Timber, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners saw their £30m opening bid rejected earlier this month, but have since agreed personal terms, and a new improved offer is expected to get the move over the line.
Verbal agreement
According to Dutch outlet Telegraaf, Timber has reached a verbal agreement with the Gunners on a contract until 2028.
The talented youngster is said to have agreed to a deal that will earn him €8million (£6.9million), double his current salary. A final fee being agreed is also now edging closer with €45m euros (£38.5m) reported as the expected cost.
Second bid prepared
Arsenal are preparing a second bid to send to Ajax for defender Jurrien Timber this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners saw their initial £30million offer turned down by the Eredivisie club, while football.london understands a much larger fee will be needed to prise him away.
According to De Telegraaf, Ajax are holding out for £50million in a deal, but it appears as though it could be much more likely that an agreement can be reached for less.
Personal terms advancing
Arsenal's pursuit of Timber is advancing, with a full agreement on personal terms nearly done according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Writing on Twitter, Romano said: "Understand Arsenal are advancing on full agreement on personal terms with Jurrien Timber. The player has accepted to join Arsenal.
"#AFC Negotiations will follow between Ajax and Arsenal in the next hours and days. New bid expected soon."
Mystery clause
According to Dutch journalist Johan Inan, Timber and Ajax agreed on a release clause when he extended his contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena last year.
The clause is said to become active in two weeks, although no exact figure has yet been disclosed.
Van Dijk approval
Despite criticism from some former Dutch internationals, Timber is highly rated by perhaps the most established player in the current setup, Virgil van Dijk.
“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.”
Sneijder warning
Former Inter Milan playmaker and Dutch legend Wesley Sneijder has previously highlighted one weakness in Timber's game, his aerial ability.
"He’s a smart lad and a really good defender," Sneijder told Dutch TV show Veronica Offside. "But he loses every header and in England - against those wardrobes in the Premier League - that will be his downfall."
Read more here.
Bayern battle
Dutch De Telegraaf have reported that Timber has also attracted interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Fortunately for Arsenal though, it is claimed that the player would favour a move to the Gunners over Bayern. It is claimed that the 22-year-old is 'certain' to leave Ajax during the summer transfer window, with the north London outfit his most likely destination.
Manchester United links
Manchester United have long been linked with a switch for Jurrien Timber after making a move for the defender last summer, but missed out. It remains to be seen whether the Red Devils are back in the race for the defender now that Arsenal are making their own offer.
Broken silence
Timber broke his silence over his future at Ajax as the young defender enters the final two years of his contract with the Eredivisie side. He told reporters: "Will I stay with Ajax anyway? I’m not sure, I can’t say that. I'm not in talks with Ajax now. My agent had a good talk a few times, but it's not like we're talking about anything right now."
Arsenal bid
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.
