Arsenal make an improved offer of £41.5m for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber

Arsenal have made an improved £41.5million offer for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.

Mail Sport reported on Monday morning that the Gunners were close to agreeing personal terms with Timber, which would see the Holland international earn a minimum £90,000-per-week which could rise to around £120,000-per-week with performance related add-ons.

And having seen their original £30million bid rebuffed by Ajax, the Premier League side have now returned with a new offer worth just north of £40million.

Ajax are understood to value Timber at £50million, but Arsenal are hopeful their move for the 22-year-old defender will reach a positive conclusion in the coming days.

The Holland International is eager to join Arsenal, with the move expected to be wrapped up quickly once the two clubs strike a deal.

Arsenal are close to agreeing personal terms with Timber (right) ahead of a potential move 

He is viewed – together with Kai Havertz and Declan Rice – as one of Mikel Arteta’s priority targets this summer.

Havertz will complete his switch to the Emirates from Chelsea in the coming days after the teams agreed a fee of up to £70million last week.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hopes to complete a deal for the Netherlands star 

Arsenal are also locked in talks with West Ham over a move for their No 1 transfer target Rice.

The Gunners have already had two offers rejected, the latest worth £90million, for Rice.

Their third offer will be closer to the £100million the Hammers are looking for. Pertinently, Rice is keen join Arsenal despite interest from Manchester City.

He is viewed – together with Kai Havertz and Declan Rice – as one of Mikel Arteta’s priority targets this summer.