Arsenal have 'secret weapon' in Jurrien Timber transfer talks with familiar face at Ajax

Arsenal could have a potential advantage in the race to sign Ajax star Jurrien Timber with a familiar face conducting transfer negotiations at the Dutch club.

Arsenal have submitted a £30m bid for the 22-year-old Netherlands international centre-back, while Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with the defender.

Ajax are seeking a higher fee for the versatile defender, who still has two years left on his contract.

The Netherlands international, who has 15 caps for his country, was spotted in London earlier this month with his agent.

The pair attended the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City on June 3.

Meanwhile, Timber's girlfriend was reportedly seen house-hunting in Liverpool earlier this year amid reports linking him with the Merseyside club.

Arsenal appear to be in pole position to sign the defender, with his twin brother Quinten - who is also a professional football for Feyenoord – confirming their interest in his sibling this week.

Arsenal have potential Timber advantage

The Daily Mail claim Timber is 'keen' to move the Emirates and the Gunners could potentially have an advantage over other Premier League teams in their negotiations for the defender.

That's because former Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat is now in charge of transfers at Ajax.

Mislintat, who spent two years at the Emirates between 2017 and 2019, was named director of football at the Dutch club in April.

He was appointed by former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who stepped down from his role as Ajax CEO last month.

Arsenal previously attempted to sign Lisandro Martinez from Ajax during Van der Sar's time at the club but failed, with the Argentine later moving to United.

With Van de Sar now out of the way, Arsenal should have an easier time convincing Ajax to part ways with Timber given their previous relationship with Mislintat.

While he will no doubt want to keep the defender, with reports claiming he has urged Timber to stay, Mislintat may be forced to concede defeat and sell him.

And Arsenal will hope their links with the German prove to be the difference if another Premier League attempts to rival them for Timber's signature.

Topics: Football, Arsenal, Ajax, Edwin Van Der Sar, Transfers, Premier League

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan