Romano sends Man Utd warning as Arsenal set to ‘PUSH’ for transfer

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 Jun 2023 18:06 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are ready to step up the intensity of their pursuit of Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Timber is a player who has been in the sights of the Premier League’s top clubs for more than a year, with the Netherlands international a player that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was keen to take to Old Trafford last summer.

Ajax had a difficult campaign, leading to Timber dropping an exit hint at the end of the season, thereby putting clubs on red alert for a transfer.

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Romano has suggested that Arsenal are in place to profit in the case of Timber, with Mikel Arteta’s club ready to accelerate on a transfer for the 22-year-old.

Arsenal reportedly made an opening offer for Timber earlier this week of €35 million, in line with the player’s Expected Transfer value (ETV) of €38.3m, but were knocked back. Ajax are holding out for €58m.

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Timber to Arsenal soon?

According to Romano the Gunners are now ready to “push on” for a deal in the coming hours and days, although nothing has yet been agreed with Ajax.

This will concern Arsenal fans because they have seen their club get into position to make signings in the recent past only for deals to fall through. Mykhailo Mudryk escaped them to Chelsea in January and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is set to do the same this summer, while their progress regarding West Ham’s Declan Rice has been frustratingly slow.

Nevertheless, Romano has assured Gooners that Timber “considers Arsenal as an excellent, attractive project for his future”, suggesting there is a strong desire on the player’s part to complete a transfer.