Arsenal ‘reach a £40m agreement’ with Ajax for defender Jurrien Timber

Arsenal have reportedly reached a full agreement with Ajax to sign defender Jurrien Timber.

The Gunners are hoping to complete deals for both Timber and Declan Rice by the end of the week.

Mikel Arteta’s side have already reached a £105m agreement with West Ham for Rice, and now the Athletic have reported that they have also come to a full agreement for Timber.

It’s said that negotiations have been completed on an initial £34.3m fee, plus £4.3m in ‘largely realistic bonuses’. 

The 22-year-old is also said to have been granted permission to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms.

Arsenal are set to seal deals for Declan Rice (L) and Jurrien Timber (R) by the end of this week

Mikel Arteta is looking to add depth to his squad ahead of their Champions League return 

Arteta’s side made an improved offer for the highly-rated Dutch defender last week, after their initial £30m bid was rebuffed.

Ajax were thought to value their academy product at £50m, but the 22-year-old’s desire to move meant both clubs were keen to come to an agreement despite him having two years left on his current deal. 

Kai Havertz has already been secured for £65m while another of the club’s priority targets Rice also looks set to join after Arsenal reached a full agreement with West Ham over his move to the Emirates.  

The two London teams had been haggling over the payment structure linked to the £100m guaranteed portion of the fee.

But the clubs have now settled on the fee being paid in three instalments over 24 months, with Rice now due to undergo a medical ahead of signing his contract.

Timber was heavily linked with Manchester United last summer after his former manager, Erik ten Hag, moved to Old Trafford from Ajax at the close of the 2021-22 season. 

But despite the Red Devils making significant strides towards signing the defender, Timber ultimately rejected the club’s advances. 

The Netherlands international plays a mutable role in defence, comfortable as a centre back or right back, and could come into Arsenal’s starting XI in the wake of possible moves for Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney.