Jurrien Timber's partner previously 'spotted house-hunting in the UK' as Arsenal submit bid

Arsenal are expected to return with a second bid for Jurrien Timber after having an initial offer turned down - and it appears the Ajax defender is already planning for life in England.

Arsenal have had an opening bid of £30m rejected by Ajax for the 22-year-old Netherlands international.

The Evening Standard claim the Dutch giants want closer to £50m but Arsenal are optimistic that a deal can be reached.

Timber has also been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool but it appears Arsenal are in pole position to sign the highly-rated centre-back, who can also play on the right side of defence.

Timber is under contract with Ajax until 2025 after signing a new deal last summer.

But he has suggested he could leave the club after a disappointing third-place finish in the Dutch Eredivisie saw Ajax miss out on the Champions League.

"There is a lot of concrete interest and I have made agreements with Ajax," Timber told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

"Last year Ajax asked me to stay for at least one more season and to extend my contract.

"As a club boy, I did that with love and after the season we will review the situation.

"At the Dutch national team, I often talk to boys who play football abroad. I want to take that step someday."

Timber's partner 'spotted' in the UK

In April, Timber's girlfriend was spotted house-hunting in the UK ahead of his potential move to the Premier League.

Dutch television show Veronica Offside claimed Timber's partner was looking at houses in Liverpool at the same time he was being linked with the Merseyside club.

But with a move to Arsenal now looking more likely, she may need to switch her search to north London.

The move for Timber is just one of several signings Arsenal are looking to complete this summer, with the club in advanced negotiations to sign Declan Rice from West Ham and Chelsea striker Kai Havertz.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have also agreed personal terms with Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia ahead of a potential bid.

Topics: Arsenal, Football, Transfers, Ajax, 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