Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal’s talks with Ajax over the transfer of Jurrien Timber are in the final stages, with the Gunners expecting a deal to be done and sealed next week.
The two clubs are reportedly close to reaching a full agreement on all the final details of a deal, with the final fee around €45-48m.
As for Timber, Romano writes that the defender is only interested in a move to Arsenal, and he’s really excited about the project with the Gunners.
Timber agreed personal terms 10 days ago, so it’s just a matter of getting the final details formally agreed between the clubs, then a medical to complete the process.
Over in the Netherlands, reports have suggested that the two clubs already have a verbal agreement over a €42m (£36.1m) deal with €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses.
De Telegraaf claim that Timber’s medical is pencilled in for the beginning of next week, and the player is working hard at the training ground to stay fit in the meantime.
But Timber is no longer taking part in squad training sessions with Ajax, now that the move is seemingly so close.
Former Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat now works as Ajax’s technical director, and Dutch outlet AD report that he initially wanted Timber to be one of the key players of the future at the club.
Unfortunately for Mislintat, Timber made it clear he wanted to move to Arsenal, and the Gunners quickly submitted a concrete offer.
Other potential Ajax outgoings like Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus are yet to progress to formal negotiations, so Timber is Ajax’s easiest option to cash in.
Mikel Arteta and Edu reportedly believe Timber is capable of operating as an inverted right-back at Arsenal, playing in midfield when the team are in possession.
Oleksandr Zinchenko played that role on the other side last season, but Arsenal finished the campaign with Thomas Partey playing the inverted right-back role in Zinchenko’s injury absence.
Timber would be a better fit for the position, with a lot more experience at right-back and plenty of quality on the ball too.
The 22-year-old made 47 appearances for Ajax in the 2022/23 campaign, and he’s also a Dutch international, playing 15 times for the national team.