Ajax superstar Jurrien Timber has now decided to join Arsenal after having rejected Manchester United.
Arsenal sent a £30 million bid for the player to Ajax but it was quickly rejected. The player is valued at £50 million and Ajax wants a figure bigger than that. Arsenal is now preparing a second bid as they consider the player very important to their future success.
Manchester United were also in the race, but they were rejected by the player. This is the second instance, as the player also rejected them last summer to continue playing at Ajax.
Why did Jurrien Timber decide to join Arsenal over Man Utd?
His former manager at Ajax, Erik Ten Haag wanted to bring the star to his new club Manchester United. The 22 year old was highly valued by the club but has now been rejected twice. But now Arsenal has agreed personal terms with the player and is close to acquiring the player.
In an interview with the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, he was asked about his future club. While he didn’t specify a single club, the player confirmed that he prioritizes playing time and development rather than financial or other factors.
Understand Arsenal are advancing on full agreement on personal terms with Jurrien Timber. The player has accepted to join Arsenal. 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
Negotiations will follow between Ajax and Arsenal in the next hours and days.
New bid expected soon. pic.twitter.com/mUqF1xKvm1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 22, 2023
Arsenal is considered the perfect club for the player as he can get the minutes he needs under Mikel Arteta. The club is also in need of a new defender as their current defenders have a record of getting injured at important times.
Arsenal is also a squad full of young stars and a rising team. At Arsenal, the player can further his development which has already made him so attractive among foreign clubs.
Timber’s comfortability in playing forward and his control in tough situations is something that suits Arsenal more than United.
Jurriën Timber is only focused on a transfer to Arsenal. Even if Bayern Munich would still place an offer for him, a transfer would still remain a big question mark. The lack of playing time his 3 teammates received at Bayern Munich plays a role in this. [@MikeVerweij] pic.twitter.com/dLo2wvpSdb
— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) June 21, 2023
Meanwhile, United already has a solid backline in Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. There Timber may have to rot on the bench and if he does play, the team won’t utilize the various aspects that make him so good.
Arsenal will still face competition as a deal has not been agreed yet with Ajax. Bayern Munich and other foreign clubs are also interested and we could see a transfer saga this summer.
Jurrien Timber’s performance at Ajax
Arsenal and United’s interest in the player isn’t a surprise, given the player’s performances at Ajax.
After joining Ajax in 2014, the player has seen wonderful growth at the club. He had the likes of Erik ten Hag, Edwin van der Sar, and Marc Overmars who all helped him to enhance his performances.
Jurrien Timber now has 120 appearances at the club and has been great for them immensely. He has now become the defensive mastermind of the team and a leader in the backline.
Timber is also a top prospect due to his versatility as seen in Ajax. He has shown he can play in all the defensive positions and has played right back at times. His ability to evolve and still perform at a high level is what makes him so good.
Timber also likes to go forward frequently and makes little mistakes on the ball.
All of these combine to make a perfect defender, and at just 22, Arsenal may have secured their hands on a future gem.
