Man Utd target Jurrien Timber in surprise transfer hint as girlfriend 'goes on house-hunt'

Jurrien Timber came close to joining Manchester United last summer from Ajax.

Posted Wednesday, April 19, 2023 by Express.co.uk

Jurrien Timber is reportedly eying a move to Liverpool

Jurrien Timber could be set to leave Ajax this summer with his partner 'already house-hunting in Liverpool' according to surprise reports in Holland. The Dutch international centre-back was among the names on Manchester United's transfer shortlist last summer but Erik ten Hag failed to land his former player before later signing Lisandro Martinez instead.

Timber has had a tough season in the Eredivisie with Ajax currently eight points behind Arne Slot's Feyenoord.

Despite signing a new lucrative contract last August, it appears he could be set to pursue a new challenge this summer when there will be further interest in his services.

Intriguingly, Dutch television show Veronica Offside is suggesting Timber is already beginning to put some plans in place ahead of a summer switch.

It's claimed Liverpool could be his preferred destination of choice amid claims his girlfriend is already looking at houses in Merseyside.

The Reds are expected to be open to the idea of signing a central defender at the end of the season following Joe Gomez and Joel Matip's ongoing struggles.

Should Timber eventually land a move to Anfield, he could join up with international team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo.

Liverpool are also believed to be in the hunt for his Dutch team-mate Ryan Gravenberch, who he also played with at Ajax last season.

Gravenberch has been short of minutes since joining Bayern Munich last summer and a meeting has already taken place between Liverpool and his representatives.

Timber initially snubbed a move to Manchester United last summer and it appears unlikely the Red Devils will return to the table.

That said, Ten Hag could be left with no choice but to strengthen his backline before the start of the 2023/24 season as the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are in doubt.

Maguire has had to accept that he is no longer first-choice due to the quality of Martinez and Raphael Varane, although both are currently out injured.

Former Everton and Ajax midfielder Former Andy van der Meyde claimed during Veronica Offside's show that Timber could be regretting his decision not to depart in the summer.

He said of the defender: "You sometimes see on the pitch that he is thinking: if only I had left earlier!"

To make matters worse for Timber, his twin brother Quinten is currently on course to win the Eredivisie title with Feyenoord.

The pair initially trained with the Rotterdam giants at youth level before moving to Ajax in 2014, where Jurrien has remained after establishing himself as an integral first-team player.

Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in the 21-year-old, who could be set to earn Ajax another huge payday this summer.