Arsenal are in talks with Ajax for defender Jurien Timber as they look to bolster their squad for next season. The conversations have been described as “very positive,” and it appears like everyone is anxious to come to an understanding. Timber has two years left on his contract, which is worth roughly €50 million; some reports claim that one offer may have already been declined. Internally, Arsenal is creating a price and payment structure. Jurien Timber was a player who Arsenal considered in January because they wanted to increase competition in the defensive positions, so they have been monitoring his progress this season.
Additionally, the team is continuing in talks with Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, the captain of West Ham. Before making a second bid, Arsenal has once again been discussing the price and the payment plan. All three of the players are allegedly being urged to join. Arsenal wants to be proactive in this transfer window and back manager Mikel Arteta, and any move for Rice would undoubtedly break the club’s previous transfer record. After having two bids rejected in January, they are still interested in Moises Caicedo, a midfielder for Brighton, and are keeping track of his situation.
Declan Rice’s transfer to West Ham was rejected by Arsenal despite their £90 million bid. The reported transfer fee, which would have broken the record set by Arsenal for the most money ever spent on a player, was £75 million guaranteed plus an extra £15 million in add-ons, topping the £72 million Lille paid for Nicolas Pepe in 2019. Arsenal recommended paying the initial amount over a four-year term and any add-ons over a five-year period, if any were achieved. Although it is still much less than West Ham’s £120 million worth, the club is prepared to sell for less providing a player is included in the deal.
The Gunners first asked for £80 million plus add-ons, which would have been paid in a succession of progressively smaller installments with a lot of strict restrictions. Manchester United and City are both showing an interest in the 24-year-old. Rice succeeded Mark Noble, who had served as the Hammers’ captain for his entire professional career, at the start of the current campaign.
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