£50m star ‘agrees to join Arsenal’ after ‘advancing on personal terms’ with ‘new bid’ coming – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Ajax defender Jurrien Timber wants to join Arsenal, who will make a second bid for him ‘soon’.
Mikel Arteta is looking to add another defender to his ranks and has identified former Man Utd target Timber as a top priority.
The Dutch international can operate as a central defender and right-back, making him a desirable player for the Premier League club.
Arteta reportedly views Timber as someone who can play as an inverted full-back, much like the role Oleksandr Zinchenko plays on the other flank.
Arsenal made an opening offer worth £30million, as reported by David Ornstein.
Ornstein said Ajax are looking for closer to £50m, though he added that there is hope at the London club that a compromise can be reached.
And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal are expected to make a second offer ‘soon’.
Writing on Twitter, Romano said the Gunners ‘are advancing on full agreement on personal terms with Timber’, who has ‘agreed to join’ Arteta’s side.
The Italian journalist added: ‘Negotiations will follow between Ajax and Arsenal in the next hours and days.’
Dutch publication De Telegraaf reported on Wednesday that Arsenal held ‘secret talks’ with Timber’s representatives earlier this month.
The report stated that the Gunners feel ‘confident’ they will complete the signing of Timber.
One top target they could be set to miss out on is West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
Ornstein reported on Thursday morning that Premier League champions Manchester City are expected to make an opening offer for the England star after West Ham rejected two bids from Arsenal.
It is unclear who Arteta’s alternatives are should City secure the signing of Rice. The Gunners have been linked with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, though both of these players are less versatile than Rice, who can effectively play as a No. 6 and No. 8.
Arsenal are expected to make a third bid for the 24-year-old after seeing two offers in the region of £90m turned down.
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