Last weekend, we relayed news from the Dutch press that Jurriën Timber wants to join Arsenal in the summer window. It was also suggested a deal could be carried out for between €40m and €50m, even though Ajax are demanding €60m for him.
The Gunners have already seen their €35m bid turned down by the Eredivisie side last week.
Algemeen Dagblad say Arsenal are expected to start negotiations with Ajax after reaching an agreement with the player over personal terms on Friday.
It’s claimed Ajax want around €50m and the north London club are now ‘moving towards’ offering €45-50m for the 22-year-old.
Ajax director Sven Mislintat was initially keen on retaining him but has now changed his mind after the Amsterdam club had promised the Netherlands international they’d let go of him in this window.
AD say the sporting director wants to respect that agreement, which is why talks with the Gunners are set to go ‘smoothly’. Mikel Arteta is an admirer of the Ajax star and ‘can’t wait’ to have him at his disposal.
It’s claimed Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg, who previously worked with Louis van Gaal, has convinced the Spaniard about the defender.
After learning more about Timber, AD claim Arteta became convinced he was the ‘one of missing puzzle pieces’ for Arsenal to take the next step.
With all parties keen on the deal, the newspaper states Timber ‘will officially become an Arsenal player this week if all goes well’.
