According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are making efforts to make progress in their pursuit of former Manchester United target Jurrien Timber by submitting a second bid.
Following the rejection of their initial £30 million offer for the defender, the Gunners have come back with an increased bid of £41.5 million.
Ajax values Timber at around £50 million, but negotiations between Arsenal and the Dutch club are ongoing, and the Gunners are optimistic about reaching a compromise.
Timber, who was previously a target for Manchester United, is part of Mikel Arteta’s ambitious summer plans to strengthen the team following their second-place finish last season.
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Signing the Dutch centre-back would provide Arteta with quality depth across the defensive line and defensive midfield.
The highly-rated 22-year-old has already amassed 121 appearances for Ajax and won two titles. He is believed to have agreed on personal terms with Arsenal for a long-term contract that could earn him up to £120,000 per week.
Although United won’t be shocked to hear about this move they would be feeling gutted to miss out on the player. However, the Red Devils went on to grab Timber’s former teammate Lisandro Martinez last summer and this signing proved to be one of the best in recent years.
Martinez has flourished under Ten Hag’s guidance and he would work hard to cement his stronghold in the starting XI for years to come.
We believe that Timber’s move to Arsenal doesn’t harm United since they are targeting other centre-back options in the current market.
