Ajax confident of keeping hold of Jurrien Timber despite Manchester United efforts
According to the Dutch publication De Telegraaf (h/t The Express), Ajax are increasingly confident about keeping hold of Jurrien Timber despite efforts from Manchester United to sign him this summer. He has already been identified by the English club as their top defensive target ahead of the next season.
Erik ten Hag is eager to facilitate a reunion with Timber at Old Trafford to help with the rebuild this summer. Man United’s interest in the defender is pretty well known at this point, prompting the Dutch club to set up an asking price of £34million for his signature. However, the former view the expense as an “insurmountable problem” and are willing to pay the fee.
That being said, the Eredivisie side’s optimism stems from the fact that the Dutch youngster has doubts about leaving Amsterdam right now. Timber is concerned about his position in Louis van Gaal’s national team squad with the 2022 Qatar World Cup ending closer. Ajax believe they have an advantage over the Red Devils as a result of the centre-back’s doubts.
Man Utd must do their best to convince Timber!
The central defensive position is one of those areas where we are desperate for new additions to the squad this summer. After all, we conceded a whopping 57 goals in the Premier League last season, which is not good at all, indicating the need to reinforce our defence ahead of the next campaign.
The defensive issues are not down to the centre-halves alone, but they have not been at their best either. The likes of Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe could leave Old Trafford this summer which clears the pathway for Timber to earn regular game time.
Furthermore, our other options like Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have not been at their best either. Ten Hag must use that to convince Timber of a move as the young prospect would have all the chances to become a regular if he can replicate the form he had shown in the Netherlands.
In fact, Timber could even get opportunities in the right-back position, where he has excelled when featured in that role. After all, the Manchester club are willing to accept offers for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and his sale could open up another way in which the Ajax ace can garner minutes in England.
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Timber himself revealed earlier this week that minutes are important for his progress, which could suggest that this is true after all. That means the Mancunians must be wary of this new update and plan an offensive so that they would not lose out on their primary defensive target.
Timber is likely to decide on his future only after the international fixtures this month. That would give enough of a time or ten Hag and the club to convince the defender to join us. Whether our pursuit would be successful or not remains to be seen.
