Ajax starlet Jurrien Timber has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in recent days as the summer transfer window begins to heat up.
Earlier this week, seemingly out of the blue, it emerged that Timber was being targeted by Mikel Arteta's side as the Spaniard looks to strengthen his defensive options. The Gunners saw a £30million bid for the Dutch international turned down by Ajax and football.london understands that this number will need to be upped significantly if they are to prise the 22-year-old away from the Johan Cruyff Arena this summer.
Timber has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Eredivisie in recent seasons and his versatility is a huge plus for Arteta. The talented youngster is more than capable of operating as a right-sided centre-back, as well as a right-back, offering the Spaniard plenty of tactical flexibility if a move is completed.
His form hasn't gone unnoticed either, with the likes of Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk and Dutch icon Marco van Basten both huge admirers. However, their compatriot Wesley Sneijder isn't as convinced, previously highlighting a major weakness in the young defender's game.
"He’s a smart lad and a really good defender," the former Inter Milan playmaker told Dutch TV show Veronica Offside. "But he loses every header and in England - against those wardrobes in the Premier League - that will be his downfall."
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Transfermarkt lists Timber at 182cm (6ft 0ins), slightly smaller than Arsenal's first-choice right-back Ben White (186cm) whilst first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes stand at 192cm and 190cm respectively.
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