Arsenal ‘reach £40 million deal’ with Ajax for defender Jurrien Timber with the Gunners hoping to secure deals for Dutchman and West Ham captain Declan Rice this week
Arsenal have reportedly reached full agreement with Ajax to sign defender Jurrien Timber.
The Gunners hope to close deals for both Timber and Declan Rice by the end of the week.
Mikel Arteta’s side have already agreed a £105 million deal with West Ham for Rice, and now the Athletic have reported that they have also reached a full agreement for Timber.
Negotiations are said to have been completed for an initial fee of £34.3m, plus £4.3m in ‘largely realistic bonuses’.
The 22-year-old was also said to have been allowed to undergo a medical examination and complete personal conditions.
Arsenal have reached an agreement with Ajax about the signing of defender Jurrien Timber
Arsenal will finalize deals for Declan Rice (L) and Jurrien Timber (R) by the end of this week.
Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen his squad ahead of their return to the Champions League
Arteta’s side made an improved bid for the highly rated Dutch defender last week after their initial bid of £30m was rejected.
Ajax were thought to value their academy product at £50 million, but the 22-year-old’s desire to move meant both clubs were keen to reach an agreement, despite his current contract still having two years left.
Kai Havertz is already secured for £65m, while another club priority, Rice, also looks set to join after Arsenal reach a full deal with West Ham over his move to the Emirates.
The two London teams had negotiated the payment structure linked to the guaranteed part of the £100 million fee.
But the clubs have now decided to pay the fee in three installments over a 24-month period, with Rice now required to undergo a medical before signing his contract.
Timber was heavily linked with Manchester United last summer after his former manager, Erik ten Hag, moved from Ajax to Old Trafford at the end of the 2021/22 season.
But despite the Red Devils making significant progress towards signing the defender, Timber ultimately rejected the club’s claims.
The Netherlands international plays a changeable role in defence, comfortable at centre-back or right-back, and could move into Arsenal’s starting eleven following possible moves from Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney.