Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has played a huge role in pushing for the signing of Ajax defender Jurrien Timber this summer, according to reports. It comes as the Gunners continue to make progress in the summer transfer window, adding to the squad for the upcoming season.
Kai Havertz was the first signing in the market, making the switch from London rivals Chelsea in a huge £65million move, bolstering the forward and midfield ranks. There's still work being done in the saga surrounding a deal for West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice too.
The north London club have agreed a deal in principal worth £105million, with personal terms already agreed with the 24-year-old. The main stumbling block appears to be how the payment is split up, with a difference between Arsenal and the Hammers in the instalments.
A move for Timber could tip the summer spending to over £200million, as football.london understands that talks are progressing with Ajax over the defender. The side had a £30million bid rejected last week and have since been discussing a fee that is reported in the range of £40million.
Personal terms are also agreed with the 22-year-old, who has just two-years remaining on his contract with the Eredivisie side. And, according to football insider Teamnewsandtix, Arteta has played a key role in the move as they told GiveMeSport: "To be honest, I'm less on top of the Timber deal, but I know Arteta has personally met the player.
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“When Arteta wants a target, especially if there's time to do so, he tempts a player in a way I've never seen any other manager do in football. I know Arteta has done that.”
It's a method that appears to have been popular with attracting many players, such as when current club captain Martin Odegaard said: "At the time, Arsenal were not doing well. They were way down like 15th in the table, but that meeting … Honestly, I challenge anyone to come away from a meeting with Arteta and not believe everything he tells you.
“He is next level. It's hard to explain. He’s passionate, he’s intense and sometimes, yeah, he’s a bit crazy … but when he speaks, you understand that whatever he says will happen, will happen. He told me his plan, everything he was building towards. He knew exactly what needed to change at the club."
That buy in from his players and those he signs has been crucial in the side returning to the top over the past year or so. However, the key challenge now is taking that next step.
