Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 - Netherlands v United States - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 3, 2022 Netherlands' Jurrien Timber in action with Christian Pulisic of the U.S. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Transfer expert Dean Jones says that there is a ‘possibility’ that Manchester United could reignite their interest in Ajax gem Jurrien Timber in the summer.
The Lowdown: Interest there
It was reported back in June that United had talks over the possibility of signing Timber, a player that Erik ten Hag knows very well having played under him for three seasons.
They ended up signing his centre-back partner Lisandro Martinez instead, but with reports that Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof could leave this summer, the Old Trafford outfit may look at strengthening in that area of the pitch again in the next transfer window.
The Latest: Could be revived
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones says that there has ‘definitely got to be a possibility’ that United will go back in for Timber this summer, with one of Maguire and Lindelof ‘likely’ to leave:
“It’s definitely got to be a possibility. You look at the Lindelöf and Maguire situations. It’s pretty likely one of those two leaves, at least.”
The Verdict: Smart move
Given that Timber has already played under Ten Hag, and with Martinez, signing him this summer just makes a lot of sense for the Red Devils.
Hailed as having ‘exceptional‘ understanding of the game, anticipation, pace and ball skills by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, he ranks in the top 10% for a number of key metrics for centre-halves in Europe’s top leagues over the past year, and at 21 years of age, is only getting to get better.
He has also been lauded as a ‘great player‘ by Liverpool colossus and Netherlands team-mate Virgil van Dijk, high praise indeed, and could slot in perfectly in Ten Hag’s system alongside Martinez, while also rotating with Raphael Varane when in need of a rest.
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