Ajax starlet Jurrien Timber seems to be nearing a move to Arsenal during the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta's side had an opening offer of £30million rebuffed by the Eredivisie giants last week, football.london understands. A second bid has since been submitted by the Gunners, football.london understands, with personal terms on a contract until 2028 already agreed with the Dutch international.
Now, the Evening Standard have claimed that both the north Londoners and Ajax are keen to wrap up a deal worth an initial £36million and talks are expected to accelerate this weekend. Timber is said to have pushed to join Arsenal despite interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, impressed by Arteta's project.
The 22-year-old's versatility will be a big plus for the Spaniard, who will be able to deploy the talented youngster as a centre-back or at right-back. If the words of Dutch icon Marco van Basten are anything to go by, the Gunners will be signing a top defender if a deal is eventually finalised.
Speaking last year on Rondo on Ziggo Sport, via Talksport, Van Basten said: "Ajax is playing great football thanks to Jurrien Timber and the National Team is playing great football thanks to him too
"It's thanks to him that we are able to play so easy out from the back. Jurrien Timber is our biggest strength in defence.
READ NEXT: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Declan Rice delay explained, Medical booked, Timber deal agreed
"He always takes the initiative just like Nathan Ake while actually the best defender [Virgil Van Dijk] takes the least initiative of the three which is weird, that such a great centre-back does so little in the build-up. Timber is never panicking.
"If you are as good as Timber, you can always remain calm. Technically he is good enough and tactically he is also good enough. And that's why he is playing and Matthijs de Ligt is not."
Who should Arsenal keep or sell this summer...?
