Arsenal has reached an agreement with Ajax for the signing of defender Jurrien Timber for £38.5m. The 22-year-old international from the Netherlands will cost the Gunners an initial £34.2 million, with a further £4.3 million in performance-related add-ons. Timber, who went through the Ajax system and has 160 senior club games, is anticipated to undergo a medical and finalize personal terms in the coming days. He has been a longtime goal for Arsenal, who are likely to make him their third acquisition of the summer after Kai Havertz, who cost £65 million, and Declan Rice, who will soon cost £105 million.
Jurrien Timber can also play as a center-back and is being signed by Arsenal as a right-back, although Manchester United was also interested in him in the past. He has played in 15 international matches for the Netherlands, starting four of their five games at the World Cup in Qatar last year, when they lost to eventual champions Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, it’s believed that Arsenal would approve Granit Xhaka’s transfer to Bayer Leverkusen now that a deal for Rice has also been finalized. After spending seven years at the Emirates Stadium, the 30-year-old former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is keen to return to the Bundesliga. A transfer cost of £21.5 million is being discussed.
Striker Folarin Balogun may follow Xhaka through the exit door. Inter Milan, AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Monaco, and Marseille are all interested in the 22-year-old forward who scored 22 goals in 39 appearances while on loan at Reims last season. The academy graduate will be allowed to depart by Arsenal, who values him at almost £50 million. The Gunners are also looking at possible departure strategies for Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, and Cedric Soares.
Timber, who is only 22 years old but has played almost to 200 senior games for club and country, has precisely the combination of youth and experience that Arsenal is presently looking for in new players. He also adds flexibility and versatility. Timber often plays in a back three for the Dutch national team but has largely played as a center-back in a back four for Ajax. However, he can also slip into midfield and can equally well fit in at a right defender.
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