Jurrien Timber has reportedly decided that he will sign for Arsenal this summer despite links to the likes of Liverpool in recent weeks.
According to De Telegraaf, the Ajax defender has opted for a move to north London with Arsenal expected to soon reach an agreement with the Dutch giants over a transfer, with Timber already agreeing personal terms with Mikel Arteta’s side on a potential five-year deal.
The 22-year-old was strongly linked with a move to Liverpool. However, Timber has now decided to join Arsenal following secret talks with the Gunners earlier this year with his agent, a move that will come as a major blow for Jurgen Klopp and his team.
The Liverpool manager is keen to add to his defence this summer, with a versatile centre-back under the age of 23 the perfect candidate for such a role. Yet Timber, who can play centrally and as a right-back, will not make Anfield his new home, with the Dutchman now Arsenal-bound.
Indeed, Arsenal have acted fast to secure Timber’s signature in what could be the Gunners’ first signing of the summer. And for Liverpool, they will be left kicking themselves over how they allowed the Ajax talent to slip through their fingers this transfer window.
Liverpool losing out on Timber to Arsenal is a massive blow for Klopp
Timber ticks a lot of boxes for what Klopp would have wanted in a defensive signing this summer, which is why losing out on the 22-year-old to a Premier League rival in Arsenal will sting greatly for the German coach, who could have wrapped up a deal for the Ajax man earlier in the month.
As we know, Liverpool are efficient negotiators when they want a player badly, and Timber could have been unveiled at Anfield by now had the Reds put their foot on the gas and gone full-speed ahead on a deal to bring the Netherlands international to Merseyside.
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