Arsenal have now agreed a deal to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, with the player set for a medical later this week.
The 22-year-old will follow Kai Havertz through the doors at the Emirates, with Declan Rice also expected to join in what has been a busy window for the Gunners so far.
The three deals could see Arsenal’s spending reach £200m before any sales are made, and this is a big statement of intent from Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar about the Gunners’ ambitions for the season.
David Ornstein has now revealed that the fee agreed with Ajax is an initial £34.3m, with another £4.3m in ‘realistic’ add-ons, which if met, would take the total price to £38.6m for the versatile defender.
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Where will Timber play for Arsenal?
The Dutch international is comfortable at both centre-back and right-back and can even play in midfield thanks to his supreme skill on the ball.
Whilst it seems unlikely that William Saliba or Ben White will be dropped from the starting XI immediately, Timber will provide crucial depth in both areas.
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Saliba’s injury last season saw Arsenal’s title challenge fall apart, and having a top quality defender available in his absence could make a huge difference this season.
Timber could replicate the inverted fullback role that Oleksander Zinchenko provides on the left-hand side, as well as covering in the middle, and this could give Arteta more tactical flexibility.
Kieran Tierney rarely started last season, but with Timber able to help provide support in midfield from right-back, this could allow the Scotland international to start in his preferred role as a traditional left-back.
If Timber realises his vast potential, then the deal would represent another bargain buy with Edu as technical director and could help Arsenal challenge at the top of the Premier League again.