Bayern Munich may be drawn into another transfer scrap with Arsenal as they vye to win the signature of Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, according to reports.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were considered the strongest rivals for Arsenal’s No 1 transfer target Declan Rice, with the former Chelsea head coach offering to build his midfield around the West Ham captain and having a number of discussions with the player.
Rice is believed to be heading for the Emirates after the Gunners tabled an improved £90million bid for the midfielder, which could rise to as high as £100m with add-ons.
But the Bundesliga giants may be quicker of the mark securing the second of Arsenal’s transfer priorities.
As per ESPN, the German champions are set to pounce for the centre back after Arsenal’s opening offer for Timber was rejected.
Mail Sport revealed that Mikel Arteta’s side had opened with a bid of £30m for Timber, but were swiftly rebuffed by Ajax, who believe the player is worth closer to £50m.
Timber, 22, has been at the club since 2014 and impressed whilst rising through the youth ranks at his boyhood club.
He was awarded his club’s Marco van Basten Award for Talent of the Year, and Eredivisie Player of the Year at the end of the 2021-22 season
Keen to make a number of new recruits this summer, Arsenal will look to snap up Timber for as competitive a price as possible, particularly when the proposed club-record bid for Rice is taken into account.
As well as Timber and Rice, Arsenal are pursuing Chelsea’s Kai Havertz – who the club are set to offer a fee totalling £60m for – and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
