Ten Hag ‘would take’ Ajax star ‘tomorrow’ as Man Utd target makes stance on summer transfer clear
Erik ten Hag is said to want to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber immediately if Manchester United were given the chance.
Ten Hag was eager to raid Ajax during the summer transfer window after leaving the club to join Manchester United.
He was able to bring Lisandro Martinez and Antony with him after United paid substantial sums to get them away from Ajax.
Ten Hag, on the other hand, was interested in Timber, who ended up signing a new contract to commit his future to the Eredivisie club.
This comes after Louis van Gaal encouraged Timber not to join Manchester United from Ajax.
“I believe a player of his caliber can play in the Premier League. “It is not an issue,” Van Gaal stated in June.
“The question is whether he has to take this major move now.
“That is not very wise I think [to transfer to United]. He must participate.”
The 21-year-old signed a contract until 2025, but according to 90min, he has ‘asked his representatives to investigate the possibility of a summer transfer away’.
According to the source, Manchester United are ‘prioritizing’ a new striker and center-midfielder this summer, but they are also ‘seeking to strengthen in both central defense and at right-back should the right player become available’.
Timber is capable of playing as a center-back and right-back, thus he could potentially replace Harry Maguire and/or Aaron Wan-Bissaka, according to the report. It is worth noting, though, that the Ajax man has only played in the midfield this season.
‘One insider close to the Dutch club remarked Ten Hag “would take Timber tomorrow” if given the option, and Timber would play anywhere for the manager who introduced him to senior football,’ 90min writes.
Timber is ready to transfer if the current opportunity presents itself, but Manchester United isn’t the only club interested in him. There is apparently ‘interest’ from Liverpool and Tottenham, as well as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, and Marseille.
Ten Hag claimed that Timber has the “potential to become a captain” while still the head coach of Ajax.
“He is another terrific leader who received his training at Ajax,” Ten Hag stated.
“Aside from his football abilities, he has the personality to be a captain.”
“I think that all top clubs in Europe have Timber in their sights,” he said in a separate interview before joining United.
“However, I believe that currently applies to a large number of Ajax players.
“If Antony were to go, it would be a loss for Ajax, because you have no one in the present selection who can take over his position. He’s first-rate.”
