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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jamie Jackson and Fabrizio Romano

Manchester United begin talks with Ajax over defender Jurrien Timber

Jurrien Timber of Ajax
Erik ten Hag is an admirer of Jurrien Timber, who can play at centre-back or full-back. Photograph: BSR Agency/Getty Images

Manchester United are in contact with Ajax regarding Jurrien Timber, with Erik ten Hag wanting to make the defender one of his first signings.

Ten Hag is a firm admirer of Timber, having given him his Eredivisie debut in March 2020, and the 20-year-old defender was an integral part of Ajax’s title-winning side of the past two seasons under his management.

Timber is primarily a central defender who can also operate at full-back and is understood to be keen on a move to United. Centre-back is a particular weakness of Ten Hag’s squad owing to the uneven form of Harry Maguire, Raphaël Varane and Victor Lindelöf, the front-line players in the position. Their backups, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones, are injury-prone and could leave this summer.

Timber, who has six Netherlands caps, has two years left on his contract so Ajax may value him at about €50m (£43m). United’s discussions with the club are at an initial stage, and Ajax are understood to have offered Timber new terms.

Ten Hag is also monitoring Villarreal’s centre-back Pau Torres. The 25-year-old Spaniard is more experienced than Timber having made his debut in 2017, and has a release clause of about €60m. His terms expire in summer 2024 but he has been offered a new contract.

Of his future Torres told AS: “Right now there is nothing at all. I have peace of mind of being where they want me, at the club of my life and I have this offer right now that I value as very positive.”

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