Arsenal are set to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber for an initial €42m (£36m), according to De Telegraaf.
The fee could rise to €47m (£40m) with bonuses but it is a lot less than the original €60m (£51.5m) asking price that Ajax were reportedly demanding for the Netherlands international.
Fans on Twitter are happy that the Gunners have managed to secure Timber’s signature so cheaply and they are keen to give credit to Edu and the recruitment team:
Incredible from Edu, fantastic signing
— ⚽️Iwan 🇺🇦⚽️ (@FootyIwan16) June 29, 2023
Terrific business.
Terrific signing.
RCB,RB and even DM covered.— Farid Jamal (@FaridFarah3) June 29, 2023
In this market that is crazy
— BS7🌶️ KH29🪄 (@BukayoSaka87_) June 29, 2023
Earned our respect 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ES5bNm8e0V
— GNR. (@AFCGNR) June 29, 2023
The decisiveness @arsenal is showing this transfer window is incredible 👌🏾
— MAVI YA KALE (@maviyakale) June 29, 2023
That’s a great signing lowkey
— Alejandro 🇲🇽😎 (@aduran0723) June 29, 2023
Fantastic and exciting times to be a gunner….we will do well ,very very likely.
YAS
— Yusuff Adesina Shoyode (@YShoyode) June 30, 2023
Timber’s determination to join Arsenal probably helped with the fee
After discussions with manager Mikel Arteta, is it believed that the Dutchman made it clear that he would only accept a move to the Emirates.
Other teams, including Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Liverpool were also said to be interested in Timber and Ajax were likely hoping for a bidding war to get closer to the fee they wanted.
However, Timber’s insistence on a transfer to the Gunners seems to have made the deal easier to do.
Timber could take Arsenal’s spending to above £200m
With Kai Havertz (£65m) already in through the door, and West Ham’s Declan Rice (£105m) expected to follow suit over the next week or so, it means the Gunners would have spent £206m on three players.
There are reports that the London club are in the market for another midfielder, but that may have to wait until later in the summer when more money has been brought in through sales.
