Arsenal are reportedly the preferred destination for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
Timber, 22, was linked with a move to Manchester United last summer but opted to stay with his boyhood club to gain experience. It was not the most successful season for Ajax, who finished 3rd in Eredivisie and lost in the KNVB Cup final, but the versatile defender was a mainstay in the team and earned his place in the Netherlands side for the World Cup.
football.london understands that Ajax are demanding a much larger sum than the Gunners’ initial £30million offer. Dutch outlet De Telegraaf has previously claimed that Ajax are demanding in the region of £50million and transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has given an update on Arsenal’s hopes of signing the young centre-back.
Romano states that Timber views Arsenal as the ‘perfect project’ for his next move, with Arteta playing an important role in convincing the Netherlands international. The transfer guru claims that the Gunners are set to submit an improved offer ‘soon’, with Ajax’s valuation said to be set at more than €40million (£38million).
It was recently reported by Romano that Timber had ‘accepted’ a move to Arsenal and was on the verge of agreeing personal terms with the club. Having opted against a move to the Premier League last summer, Timber gave an update on his future at Ajax, back in April.
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"A transfer is getting closer and closer, so to speak," Timber said when speaking to De Telegraaf. "There is a lot of concrete interest and I have made agreements with Ajax.
“Last year, Ajax asked me to stay for at least one more season and to extend my contract. As a club boy, I did that with love, and after the season we will review the situation."
