Arsenal are targeting a move for Ajax starlet Jurrien Timber as Mikel Arteta continues to bolster his squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Gunners had a £30million bid for Timber rebuffed by Ajax and football.london understands that they will have to up this number significantly if the Dutch giants are to part ways with the 22-year-old this summer. If the north London outfit are able to sign the versatile defender, they will be getting a player with bundles of potential if Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk is to be believed.
“I wasn’t nearly as far along as he is now [at the same age],” Van Dijk said when asked about his fellow Dutch international 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.”
Van Dijk's compatriot Marco van Basten has also heaped praise on Timber in the past, singling out the youngster's quality in the build-up phase. 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
READ NEXT: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Third Declan Rice bid, Lavia talks advance, Jurrien Timber deal
"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.
"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."
