Game-Changer Alert: Arsenal Seal Blockbuster £385m Deal for Ajax's Defensive Maestro, Jurrien Timber

Arsenal has finalized a deal to acquire Jurrien Timber, the Dutch defender from Ajax, in a transfer valued at £38.5m. The initial payment of £34.2m will be made by the Gunners for the 22-year-old, with an additional £4.3m dependent on performance-related factors.

Timber, an Ajax academy graduate with 160 senior appearances for the club, is anticipated to undergo a medical examination in the upcoming days and conclude personal negotiations prior to the transfer. Arsenal, who have long pursued him, are poised to secure his services, making him their third acquisition this summer after the £65m signing of Kai Havertz and the imminent £105m agreement for West Ham's Declan Rice.

Arsenal is set to sign Timber as a right-back, although he is also capable of playing as a centre-back. His talent has previously caught the attention of Manchester United.

Having earned 15 caps for the Netherlands, Timber was a significant presence in four out of their five matches during the previous year's World Cup held in Qatar. Unfortunately, their journey came to an end in the quarter-finals, as they were defeated by the eventual champions, Argentina.

Xhaka exit nearing, Balogun in demand

The 30-year-old ex-Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is keen to make his way back to the Bundesliga after spending seven years at the Emirates Stadium. The proposed transfer fee stands at £21.5m.

Xhaka may be joined by striker Folarin Balogun in departing the team. Balogun, 22, impressed during his loan spell at Reims last season, scoring 22 goals in 39 games. Inter Milan, AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Monaco, and Marseille have expressed interest in acquiring him.

Arsenal is willing to part ways with the academy graduate and has set his value at approximately £50m.

The Gunners are also exploring viable exit options for Cedric Soares, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nicolas Pepe.

Analysis: Why Timber fits the bill for Arsenal

At just 22 years old, Timber already boasts nearly 200 senior games under his belt for both club and country, making him the perfect combination of youthful talent and seasoned experience that Arsenal is currently seeking in their new signings.

Beyond his impressive track record, Timber brings with him a remarkable versatility and adaptability. While he has primarily showcased his skills as a center-back in a back four formation at Ajax, he seamlessly transitions into a back three setup for the Dutch national team. Moreover, he is equally adept at fulfilling the role of a right-back and even possesses the ability to contribute effectively in midfield.

Those qualities are crucial for Arteta, who likes his full-backs to step into central areas in possession, and there are plenty of other factors to appeal to the Arsenal boss.

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Timber's passing ability is a big part of his appeal to Arsenal

Timber is highly regarded as an exceptional defender, excelling in both tackling and aerial challenges. However, his most notable strength lies in his exceptional passing ability. Timber displays exceptional ball control and his significance to Ajax in this aspect is emphasized by the statistics.

During the previous season in the Eredivisie, Timber had the highest number of touches and made the most passes among all players in the division. Additionally, he ranked first in forward passes, highlighting his ability not only to retain possession but also to penetrate opponent lines and initiate attacks.

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