Arsenal are ‘STREET ahead’ of Bayern Munich in the race for Ajax’s Jurrien Timber… with the star having ‘secret talks in London for the FA Cup final’
- Jurrien Timber is said to be pursuing a move to Arsenal this summer
- The Dutch international is said to have had secret talks with The Gunners
- Arsenal would be ahead of Bayern Munich, which is also interested in Timber
Jurrien Timber looks poised for a move to Arsenal, with The Gunners reportedly ‘streets’ ahead of Bayern Munich in their bid to lure the Dutch defender away from Ajax.
The central defender has been in the spotlight over the past two summer transfer windows, with Manchester United failing in their hunt for Timber last year and Arsenal now keen on a deal.
Arsenal had an opening bid of £30 million on Monday for the versatile defender rejected by Ajax and have been instructed to increase their original offer, with Bayern Munich also interested.
However, it has since been revealed that the parties involved in the deal consider Mikel Arteta’s side as the front-runners for Timber’s signature, having previously held secret talks in London, according to The Telegraph.
The 22-year-old was photographed attending the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Man United at Wembley on June 3, giving Red Devils supporters hope that their previous transfer target could be on their way to the club.
Jurrien Timber reportedly would like to leave Ajax and go to Arsenal this summer
Mikel Arteta (pictured) is looking to make Timber a summer asset to his first-team defensive ranks
However, reports suggest that Arsenal held specific talks with Timber in London ahead of the Manchester affair at Wembley.
The Netherlands international has given Gunners supporters an extra boost by apparently also telling Ajax that he has set his sights on the Emirates and that recently appointed head coach Maurice Steijn understands the player’s decision.
Meanwhile, the threat of Bayern Munich transfer seems unlikely as Arsenal reportedly have a ‘street level’ head start in the transfer process.
There is confidence that a suitable deal can be struck between the Amsterdam team and Arsenal as Timber scrutinizes a transfer to the Premier League.
Timber discussed the possibility of leaving Ajax earlier in June when he revealed he was ‘not in talks’ about extending his stay in the Dutch capital.
Timber apparently had secret talks with Arsenal ahead of the FA Cup final in early June
‘Will I still stay with Ajax? I’m not sure, I can’t say.
‘I’m not talking to Ajax right now. My agent has had a good talk a few times, but it’s not like we’re talking about anything now.’
Timber would provide competition in Arsenal’s defensive ranks following their end-of-season capitulation, conceding the Premier League title to Man City.
The defender is currently under contract with Ajax until the summer of 2025 and has played 121 games for his youth club, scoring six times.