Jurrien Timber transfer latest: Ajax ace delivers honest verdict on Man Utd move as £43m deal takes shape
Jurrien Timber gave a candid interview that included his thoughts on a move to Man Utd amid claims talks are underway over a £43m transfer from Ajax.
The defensive options at Erik ten Hag’s disposal could look a whole lot different to those Ralf Rangnick had when next season commences. The Express recently claimed Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly could all make way. If the trio depart, the funds generated will be immediately made available towards new additions.
Those arrivals could come up front and in central midfield. However, centre-half and right-back may also be addressed.
Indeed, Manchester United have drawn strong links with plundering Ten Hag’s former club Ajax for either Lisandro Martinez or Jurrien Timber.
The Guardian stated talks over a move for 20-year-old Timber have been opened. They put the cost of a potential deal in the region of £43m. Fabrizio Romano later described United’s interest as ‘concrete and serious’.
Timber operates primarily as a centre-half and is currently on duty with the Dutch national side. And speaking to De Telegraaf, Timber opened up on a range of subjects, including the prospect of a move away.
“In the end, my gut feeling will be the deciding factor,” said Timber.
“The picture has to be right. You can go to a big club. But if you’re not going to play there, it’s better to stay with Ajax. And Ajax is also a big club.
“We play football in the Champions League and I play there together with the best players in the Netherlands. That is not nothing.”
Unfinished business at Ajax?
Timber would be foregoing Champions League football by moving to Old Trafford. Furthermore, he suggested he still has unfinished business at Ajax, though did not close the door to United entirely.
“Of course I can develop further there [at Ajax],” added the defender. “I am 100 percent sure of that. I don’t feel like I’m done at the club. But I can also develop at other clubs.”
Timber racked up a passing completion rate of over 90 percent last season. When made aware of that statistic, Timber used it as an opportunity to stress he’ll strive to keep improving in all departments.
“Those are great statistics,” he admitted. “But I sometimes felt that it was my first real season with Ajax.
“I have learned to play with aches and pains and I have started to perform more consistently. But I want to develop further.
“For example, I am not the tallest. That’s why I train a lot on jumping, because I want to learn to head better.
“It is also a challenge to perform fairly consistently season after season. Getting better from a standard level. That is my goal.”
Jurrien Timber could solve two problems
While centre-back is his primary position, Timber was also deployed on occasion at right-back in Amsterdam.
Wan-Bissaka looks destined to leave United this summer and Romano claimed Dalot could take the No 1 spot. To ensure United’s war-chest isn’t depleted by buying a back-up full-back, signing Timber could kill two birds with one stone.
The Dutchman could deputise for Dalot when required and provide competition for Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire centrally when Dalot plays.
What’s more, as Timber alluded to, his lack of height may prove troublesome in the long run. Timber stands at just 5ft 10in tall. Only a select few elite centre-halves have made it to the very top being under six feet tall.
