
Arsenal
Premier League • England
Exclusive: Next Arsenal signing after Declan Rice to be done ‘very quickly’ as Gunners overcome issue

Mohammed Kudus and Jurrien Timber of Arsenal
Arsenal will soon end the frustration surrounding the capture of Jurrien Timber by announcing the defender as their latest signing, according to Charles Watts.
Timber has been linked with Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United in recent months amid his top displays for Dutch club Ajax. However, Mikel Arteta’s side swooped in for him on June 20 by launching an opening bid.
That was knocked back by Ajax, but Arsenal’s next offer was accepted on June 29. It is worth an initial €40million (£34.2m) but could rise to €45m (£38.5m) depending on add-ons.
Despite Timber agreeing personal terms with Arsenal, as well as completing a medical, he has yet to be announced as their third summer arrival. They have already signed Kai Havertz from London rivals Chelsea for £65m and are expected to complete Declan Rice’s club-record switch from West Ham before the end of the weekend.
Watts has now put Arsenal fans at ease by revealing to TEAMtalk that Timber will officially become an Arsenal player ‘very soon’ after the north London side overcame a ‘slight contractual issue’.
“There’s been a lot of frustration because everyone knew it was pretty much done long before last weekend,” Watts said.
“Friday, he was over and did his media duties and a medical. Then he went back to Holland. He’s had a big leaving party in Holland; his brother leaked a picture on social media of the leaving party with him in an Arsenal shirt saying something like, ‘good luck in the streets of London’.
“So everyone was expecting an early announcement and it hasn’t come as each day has gone past. It hasn’t come and it’s built frustration.
Jurrien Timber to Arsenal affected by ‘hold up’
“Arsenal were hoping that they were going to have him on board to play some part in a game on Thursday night in Nuremberg. They were hoping to get him over as part of the training camp just to get him to meet his teammates, have a session with him and have a few minutes.
“But there was a little bit of a hold up, a slight contractual issue that needed resolving, and that held up and delayed things a little bit, but there’s nothing to worry about.
“It’s going to be done. It’s gonna be done very, very quickly, potentially even before the weekend. I don’t think Arsenal fans need to be worried about it too much longer because the picture of him in his Arsenal shirt will be official very, very soon.”