Romano sends Arsenal warning of Man Utd repeat as Edu bids for ‘bit of a Zinchenko’

Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal “are optimistic” of getting a deal for Jurrien Timber over the line despite bad memories of last summer.

The Athletic journalist David Ornstein revealed yesterday that the Gunners are “working on a deal to sign” Ajax defender Timber and “have submitted a proposal worth around £30m”.

Ajax want Arsenal to up their offer to around £50m with the Dutch club benefitting from Timber having two years to run on his contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Transfer expert Romano insists Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu “see him as a bit of an Oleksandr Zinchenko player” but will be wary after being beaten to Lisandro Martinez’s signature by Manchester United last summer.

Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “I can confirm that Arsenal have an interest in signing Jurrien Timber from Ajax – the story first broken by David Ornstein and The Athletic.

“This is a concrete possibility for Arsenal – Timber is top of their list of centre-back targets, along with Mohamed Simakan from RB Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, who has also been followed by Tottenham for a long time but who is thought to be too expensive for Arsenal this summer.

“Arsenal are now working on Timber, there have been some exchanges, but there aren’t great memories for Arsenal there as they also tried to sign Lisandro Martinez from Ajax last summer, only to be beaten to his signature by Manchester United.

“Still, Arsenal are optimistic over Timber – he has only two years left on his contract and he’s been very clear that he won’t sign a new deal with Ajax. His priority is to leave, and he wants an experience in the Premier League.

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“He’s tempted by Arsenal’s project, and Mikel Arteta likes him because he can play centre-back, right-back, and defensive midfield if needed – they see him as a bit of an Oleksandr Zinchenko player.

“One thing is clear, however, and that is that £30m won’t be enough to convince Ajax to sell the player. Arsenal need to continue negotiations, but he’s a top target approved by Arteta and Edu, while Simakan also remains on their list.”

Arsenal are also looking to bring in at least one new midfielder this summer with the north London club understood to be favourites for Declan Rice’s signature.

James Ward-Prowse could be leaving Southampton this summer, after the Saints were relegated to the Championship, and Liverpool legend John Barnes has named Arsenal as a “good destination”.

Barnes told Bonuscodebets: “There are other clubs within the top 6 which play a style which would suit Ward-Prowse and he would suit them.

“He certainly has the quality to play for one of the top six clubs.

“Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United could be good destinations for him.”