Champions League club told to ‘sue Arsenal for theft’ because 2023 transfer was so good

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A signing that Edu Gaspar made at Arsenal in 2023 is still making the headlines.

Edu pulled off some good and bad transfers at Arsenal during his time at the club. 

In 2024, the Brazilian opted to bid farewell to N5 in search of pastures new, and fortunately, the Gunners haven’t looked back.

Getting Andrea Berta on board was crucial ahead of the summer transfer window, as the Italian significantly bolstered Mikel Arteta’s squad. 

Though Arsenal are more than satisfied with Berta, the sporting director might find it difficult to have one of his transfers live up to Edu’s capture of Jurrien Timber in 2023. 

• READ MORE: What Andrea Berta is focusing on at Arsenal now that the transfer window has closed

Dutch media jokingly advise Ajax to sue Arsenal over Jurrien Timber transfer

Timber has been described as ‘remarkable’ this season due to his searing start to the 2025/26 calendar. 

Though the 24-year-old is undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s best, there have been complaints aimed at Ronald Koeman over Timber’s role in the Dutch national team. 

Koeman listened to such concerns as Timber thrived at centre-back when the Netherlands beat Malta. 

As the defender goes from strength to strength for club and country, he’s becoming more and more difficult to ignore, something his former club, Ajax, might have something to say about.

Writing for Dutch outlet Soccer News, journalist Maikel de Lange jokingly advised Ajax to ‘sue Arsenal for theft’. 

Arsenal signed Timber for just £34m in 2023, a price that De Lange and many others can’t comprehend, given just how impressive the Dutchman is.

In his piece, De Lange noted that Arsenal underpaid by €2m at the time, referencing that Timber’s market value sat at €42m, but he was still sold for €40m.

It was a triumph for the Gunners to acquire the full-back at such a slim cost, particularly when considering the trajectory his market value is now taking. 

How Timber’s market value has changed since he signed for Arsenal 

When Timber signed for Arsenal, his market value sat at €40m, and since then, it’s risen by €15m, as per Transfermarkt. 

The rise is astonishing when remembering that the Dutchman actually missed the entirety of his debut season at Arsenal after suffering an ACL injury.

Timber returned and never left, becoming Arteta’s best right-back and even usurping former first choice Ben White in the process.

With a market value of €55m and a new contract reported to be waiting in the wings, it’s no surprise that the narrative of Arsenal winning the lottery with Timber is doing the rounds in the Netherlands.