Jurrien Timber is likely to be the next Arsenal player to be offered a new contract by Andrea Berta, Arsenal Insider understands.
Berta has been intent on tying some of the Gunners’ most important players down to new long-term deals since arriving at the Emirates in April, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri all committing their futures.
Meanwhile, William Saliba is set to sign a new deal after news broke earlier this week that there had been a breakthrough in negotiations between the Frenchman’s camp and the Arsenal hierarchy.
Bukayo Saka is expected to follow suit and commit his long-term future to his boyhood club, with Timber now most likely the next contract to be sorted on Berta’s agenda.
Jurrien Timber is likely to be offered a new Arsenal contract
Arsenal signed Timber from Ajax for just £34 million in the summer of 2023.
Spending the entire duration of the 2023/24 season on the sidelines with an ACL injury, the Dutchman returned at the beginning of last term, looking to usurp Ben White in Mikel Arteta’s team.
Producing consistently excellent performances, Timber was arguably one of Arsenal’s best performers in 2024/25 and is now in line for a new contract.
The 24-year-old is currently earning a purported £90,000 a week (via Capology), which is lower than most in the Gunners’ squad and certainly doesn’t reflect his standing in the team.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that he expects Timber, whose current deal is valid until 2028, to be the next player Berta convinces to extend.
“I think Timber will be the next big one, now that he’s proved himself,” Bailey said.
“They’ll probably give him this season before entering negotiations. He’s due a new deal and is arguably the first-choice right-back now.
“He’s on relatively modest wages compared to other players of his level in Arsenal’s squad, and the club will want to ensure he commits his future before anyone can tempt him away.”
Timber has been described as ‘excellent’ and thus is certainly deserving of a more lucrative deal.
David Raya and Martin Odegaard could also get new Arsenal deals
Similarly to Timber, David Raya is also on a relatively modest wage relative to his importance to Arteta’s team.
The goalkeeper is currently earning £100,000 a week and his deal expires in 2028.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard’s contract also expires in three years and despite his struggles, the Gunners view their captain as extremely important and will no doubt want to tie him down to a new deal.
“Raya has taken a massive step up in the last 18 months, and Arsenal will want to reward him for that,” Bailey told Arsenal Insider.
“His deal expires in 2028, so he’s among that crop that could get new deals soon, as could Martin Odegaard. Arsenal are convinced they have one of the best midfield trios in world football with the Norwegian, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.
“They’ll want to renew Odegaard at some point next year. So those are the next three, most likely – Timber, Raya and Odegaard.”
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