In a significant move that is set to redefine Arsenal's defensive line, the club is on the brink of announcing the signing of Dutch international Jurrien Timber. The £45m deal with Ajax, which has been the subject of much speculation, is expected to be officially confirmed by the end of this week.
The delay in the formal announcement of Timber's transfer has been attributed to a minor contractual issue. However, with the issue now resolved, the Gunners are optimistic about making the official announcement as early as Friday, according to reports from Football London. This development comes after Timber's brother shared a social media post last week, hinting at a farewell party for the defender.
Timber, who has agreed to a five-year deal with Arsenal, will become the second most expensive defender in the club's history. The record is currently held by Ben White, who was signed from Brighton in 2021 for £50m. The deal with Timber includes an upfront payment of £40m to Ajax, with an additional £5m in add-ons.
Despite the delay in the official announcement, Timber has already completed his in-house media duties. However, the contractual issue has prevented him from joining the rest of the squad in Germany for their pre-season preparation. As a result, Timber will not be participating in the pre-season friendly against FC Nürnberg. However, he is expected to make his debut in the match against the MLS All-Stars next week in Washington.
In addition to Timber, Arsenal is also on the verge of confirming the signing of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. The £105m deal will make Rice the most expensive British player of all time and Arsenal's record signing. However, the official confirmation of Rice's transfer is also pending.
The anticipation surrounding the arrival of Timber and Rice has been palpable, with even Arsenal midfielder Jorginho expressing his curiosity about their official joining date. In response to a fan's query on social media, Jorginho humorously admitted his lack of information, stating, "Good question. No idea."
The only signing that has been officially confirmed so far is Kai Havertz's move from Chelsea. Havertz expressed his excitement about joining Arsenal, stating, "It's super exciting for me to be joining this amazing club and to be part of the Arsenal family."
With the imminent arrival of Timber and the potential signing of Rice, Arsenal is poised to enter a new era. The club's fans are eagerly awaiting the official announcements, hopeful that these new additions will bring a much-needed revitalization to the squad.
