Erik ten Hag could yet see Manchester United sign his top defensive target this summer as the agent of Jurrien Timber revealed he’s in the city ‘for work’ this week.
The 21-year-old excelled under Ten Hag at Ajax and the new United boss reportedly put him at the top of his transfer wishlist upon his arrival at Old Trafford.
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Timber can play at centre-back or right-back, making him an ideal addition to the squad given their weakness in both areas.
But reports have claimed Timber is reticent to move to United as he fears it could jeapardise his place in the Netherlands squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar this winter, after manager Louis van Gaal warned him against reuniting with Ten Hag this summer.
“I think a player of his quality can play in the Premier League. That is not a problem,” Van Gaal said.
“If he has to make this big step now, that’s the question.
“It is not so wise I think [to move to United]. He has to play.”
Rumours since have concerned other potential recruits, including Braga defender David Carmo and Villarreal’s Pau Torres.
But a social media post by Timber’s agent Revien Kanhai may suggest all is not lost when it comes to Timber.
He included a picture of the Manchester skyline with the caption ‘Love to travel for work’, accompanied by a fist bump emoji in his Instagram story.
Meanwhile, Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan thinks United will find it hard to extract their targets from Ajax this summer.
“So many Ajax players are being linked with Ten Hag and Manchester United, and of course he can’t take them all,” Van der Kraan said.
“I think he’s lucky if he gets two. Why? Ajax have no need to sell any more. They’re just about to do a £38million deal to sell Sebastien Haller to Borussia Dortmund – that looks done.
“Their books have always been balanced over the last few years and they have said they want to keep their squad together. They’ll let go of one or two, Haller was the first one and the Mexican Edson Alvarez is the other one – he can go.
“Now, for every other player, they’re going to play hard-ball, so if Man United want Antony they’ll have to come up with a massive amount of cash.
“We do know here that Ten Hag has said the cash – which is available – let’s first spend it on Frenkie de Jong and if there is more possible, we’ll look then. But if they spend it now…
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