Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, according to reports.
Mikel Arteta is moving quickly in the transfer window as he looks to bolster his squad after their disappointing end to the Premier League campaign. Despite being at the summit for most of the season, Manchester City eventually stole a march and went on to regain their title on the way to winning the Treble.
Arsenal, who eventually finished five points behind City in second, have already signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65m. And they have now agreed a £38.6m deal for Timber and a £105m deal for West Ham United captain Declan Rice.
Virgil van Dijk knows Timber well following their time together as part of the Holland set-up under Louis van Gaal and Ronald Koeman.
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And the Liverpool defender has already claimed that the 22-year-old Ajax academy graduate was better now than he was at the same age. In September 2022, Van Dijk said: "I wasn't nearly as far along as he is now [at the same age]. 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."
Last season was a disappointing one from a Liverpool and Van Dijk perspective. The former Southampton centre-back suffered a hamstring injury at the turn of the year, hampering his involvement during a difficult time at Anfield, and his drop-off in form at times coincided with the Reds slipping out of Champions League contention.
Jurgen Klopp's side did, however, manage to salvage their season somewhat with an 11-game unbeaten run to end the campaign, which saw them finish fifth and secure qualification to the Europa League.
Arsenal enjoyed their best season under Arteta despite heartbreak in the title race. Their second-place finish means Champions League football will return to the Emirates for the first time since 2016 under Arsene Wenger.
Liverpool will be looking to get off to a stronger start this season compared to 12 months ago, with the acquisitions of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai bringing a much-needed injection of quality into the squad.
After a number of years competing with Man City at the Premier League summit, ahead of their opener against Chelsea on August 13, the Reds will likely be battling with the likes of the Gunners, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Newcastle United for a place in the top four.
Their opening day opponents, Chelsea, meanwhile, are eyeing a positive start under Mauricio Pochettino, after a chaotic campaign at Stamford Bridge.
