Man Utd and Liverpool warned over signing Ajax defender Jurrien Timber due to weakness against 'wardrobes'

Wesley Sneijder has warned Liverpool and Manchester United against signing Ajax defender Jurrien Timber due to his weakness against 'wardrobes'.

The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, with both Jurgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag reportedly keen on the defender.

Indeed, Timber's girlfriend is said to already be house-hunting in Liverpool. While Timber, who chose to stay in Amsterdam at the time, is on the hunt for a new club this summer, according to Dutch television show Veronica Offside.

However, former Netherlands and Ajax midfielder Sneijder has advised Premier League clubs against signing the Netherlands international for one key reason.

Liverpool and Man Utd warned against signing Timber

Sneijder heaped praise on Timber's defensive capabilities, but has warned potential suitors that he is not tall enough to compete in the Premier League.

The 5''9' Dutchman has been in fine form in the Eredivisie, but the former Inter Milan midfielder reckons he would struggle to cope against the English top-flight's towering centre-forwards.

"He’s a smart lad and a really good defender," Sneijder told Veronica Offside.

"But he loses every header and in England – against those wardrobes in the Premier League – that will be his downfall," said Sneijder when explaining the quality of attackers in England.”

Timber's former teammate Lisandro Martinez came under similar criticism when he signed for Manchester United.

However, the Argentinian soon silenced his critics with a series of excellent displays for the Red Devils.

Though Sneijder puts this down to his ability to jump and compete with players aerially.

"Lisandro Martinez is also small, but he can still jump and rise above players. I used to see that with [former Real Madrid defender] Fabio Cannavaro. He was also small but he won every header," added Sneijder.

Topics: Manchester United, Liverpool, Erik Ten Hag, Jurgen Klopp, Ajax, Eredivisie, Football, Transfers, Premier League

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno