Manchester United ‘are in talks with Ajax over £35m deal for Jurrien Timber

Manchester United are said to be plotting a move for Ajax’s £35million-rated defender Jurrien Timber during the summer transfer window. 

Timber rose to stardom under Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam and helped the 52-year-old manager secure his third Dutch title with Ajax. 

Therefore, Ten Hag is said to be eager to continue working with Timber when he takes over the reins at Manchester United. 

Manchester United are interested in signing Ajax’s £35million-rated defender Jurrien Timber

Ten Hag is looking to rebuild the Manchester United squad during the summer transfer window and has prioritised a striker, a creative and holding midfielder and a central defender. 

According to The Mirror, Timber could be the Dutch manager’s first signing in the summer as the 20-year-old became one of Ten Hag’s most trusted players at Ajax.

Timber – who made 43 appearances in Ajax’s title-winning campaign – is a versatile player that can perform well at centre-back and also at right-back. 

Timber helped Ten Hag secure his third Dutch title with Ajax before leaving for Man United 

Timber is a versatile young player that can excel at centre-back and also at right-back

Additionally, he is a young player with a lot of potential. Therefore, he could grow into a household name under Ten Hag at Manchester United. 

However, there will be significant competition for his signature this summer. When asked previously about taking Timber with him to United, Ten Hag said: ‘I think all the top clubs in Europe have Timber in their sights. But I think that applies to a lot of Ajax players at the moment.’ 

Manchester United fans have given their seal of approval when it comes to signing Timber this summer. They took to social media to support the decision. 

One Twitter user wrote: ‘Always rated Jurrien Timber but rated him even higher after TheEuropeanLad said he’s “one of the best things that happened to Ajax” and most recently called on Louis van Gaal to drop de Ligt and pair him with van Dijk at the World Cup. Glad ten Hag wants him at Man Utd’. 

Another added: ‘If we get Timber, that’s a very good step in the right direction’. While one wrote: ‘I’m not that bothered about Antony, but Timber, man we got to do everything we can to sign this guy.’

Ten Hag has made it clear that he plans to make Rashford an integral part of the team’s revival

The Dutch manager has also been told to target Hakim Ziyech – who worked with Ten Hag in Amsterdam before his move to the Premier League

Additionally, Ten Hag may be forced to replace Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Dean Henderson, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Alex Telles, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford as they have all been linked with moves away. 

However, Ten Hag has made it clear that he plans to make Rashford an integral part of the team’s revival – regardless of the 24-year-old’s links with alternative clubs.   

Ten Hag has also spoke highly of Cristiano Ronaldo – having described the striker as a ‘giant’ during what was essentially his Ajax ‘exit interview’ in the Dutch press. He added: ‘I want to keep him at Manchester United, of course.’ 

Meanwhile, the likes of Chelsea midfielder N’golo Kante has been mooted as a potential target for United while Declan Rice, who is said to have turned down another contract offer from West Ham, is on their list. 

The Dutch manager has also been told to target Hakim Ziyech – who worked with Ten Hag in Amsterdam before his move to the Premier League – by Ajax legend Marco van Basten.