Arsenalcould announce the signing ofAjaxdefєɴԀer Jurrien Timber “as soon as this week” at the Emirates Stadium, Sky Sports ɾєρօɾτerDharmesh Shethhas told GIVEMESPORT.
Head coach Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar have taken early steps to bolster the Gunners’ squad during the summer transfer window.
According to transfer guruFabrizio Romano, Timber will be confirmed as anArsenalplayer in the coming days, having completed his medical to sign for the Gunners.
The centre-back, who can also play as a right-back, will move to the Emirates Stadium fromAjaxin a Ԁєɑł that could reach close to £39m, according to The Athletic’sDavid Ornstein.
Arsenal had been looking to sign versatile cover in defence after experiencing a drop-off in form following William Saliba’sseason-єɴԀingback ιɴjυɾу last term, playing a part in losing their grip on the Premier League title to eventual champions Manchester City.
With right-backTakehiro Tomiyasulikely to miss the start of the season, the Gunners also need some cover in that area of the pitch, with Ben White being Arteta’s go-to option on the right side of the defence.
Journalist Paul Brown has recentlytold GIVEMESPORTthat Arsenal’s signing of Timber is “all but done” as the north London outfit add another option to their backline.
And Sheth has been informed that Timber has completed his medical and that the 22-year-old’s signing will now be a matter of formality, with an announcement of the arrival expected imminently.
What has Sheth said aboutArsenaland Timber?
Giving the latest information on Timber’s move toArsenalon Monday morning, Sheth told GIVEMESPORT:”The information we’ve been given concerning Jurrien Timber is that we think he’s done his medical now. It’s just the case of dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s on the contract, and then a formal announcement fromArsenal. So, it could even happen as soon as this week.”
What next for Arsenal?
Timber is not the only player on the verge of joiningArsenal, with West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice having also completed amedicalahead of a switch across London on Friday.
The Gunners have agreed on a Ԁєɑł worth£105mto bring the 24-year-old to the Emirates Stadium as Arteta looks to build a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title again this season.
Meanwhile,sources in Spainhave linkedArsenalwith a move for Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda, whom the Gunnersheld an interestin during the winter transfer window.
In terms of further right-back solutions, the north London giants’ ambitions to sign Bayer Leverkusen’sJeremie Frimponghave cooled, likely due to the imminent signing of Timber.
And last season’s Premier League runners-up also have a long-standing interest in Frimpong’s Leverkusen teammate, wingerMoussa Diaby, but are joined by Aston Villa, Manchester United and Newcastle United for the 24-year-old.
Having already secured the signing of Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz, the remainder of the transfer window is shaping up to be an exciting few weeks at the Emirates, asArsenallook ahead to their first Champions League campaign since the 2016/17 season.
