Ornstein reveals £30m Arsenal bid for Man Utd, Liverpool target; ‘personal terms in place’ | OneFootball

Arsenal have swooped in ahead of Manchester United and Liverpool to make a £30m bid for Ajax star Jurrien Timber.

Timber was thought to be close to moving with Erik ten Hag to United last summer from Ajax before deciding to stay with the Eredivisie side for another season.

Ten Hag is a huge admirer of the centre-back and was reportedly again interested in landing him in January before fresh reports this summer again tipped the Red Devils to make a move.

Timber signed a new contract in the summer until 2025 but it was claimed back in March that Timber had ‘asked his representatives to explore the chances of a summer transfer away’.

At the time ‘One source close to the Dutch club quipped Ten Hag “would take Timber tomorrow” if presented the opportunity, and that Timber would play anywhere for the manager who introduced him to senior football’.

It’s Liverpool that have been more heavily linked in recent weeks, with Timber thought to be among a list of three centre-back targets for Jurgen Klopp, along with Levi Colwill and Nayef Aguerd.

But Arsenal have now jumped the queue according to The Athletic’s transfer expert David Ornstein, who has revealed the Gunners ‘have submitted a proposal worth £30m’ for Timber.

It’s thought Ajax want closer to £50m for the 22-year-old, but ‘there is optimism a compromise can be reached between the two clubs’.

‘Personal terms are believed to be in place’ between Arsenal and Timber, who can operate both at centre-back and right-back.

Known for his composure on the ball and exemplary passing range, Timber has played 15 times for his country and got two goals and two assists in 34 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax last term.

The move by the Gunners represents another significant blow for United, who have already missed out on one top centre-back target in Kim Min-jae and now look to be about to suffer another.

Arsenal meanwhile look as though they’re getting their transfer business done early, with talks over deals for both Declan Rice and Kai Havertz said to be progressing.