"A busy one": £34m Arsenal star says "a lot of players" will join the club this summer
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber anticipates a busy summer transfer window for the club.
The Netherlands international joined the Gunners from Ajax in a deal worth £34 million in 2023.
He had a forgettable debut campaign after a serious knee injury in the Premier League curtain-raiser.
However, he managed to redeem himself last season with 48 appearances in all competitions.
The Dutchman underwent an ankle surgery towards the end, but he should return by pre-season.
Speaking on the Matchday podcast (via Voetbal Primeur), Timber was recently asked about Arsenal’s plans for the summer transfer window.
In response, the 24-year-old said that it will definitely be a busy one. He anticipates a lot of players coming in on the back of an injury-disrupted campaign for the London giants.
He said: “It will definitely be a busy one for Arsenal. I think we’ll get a lot of players, because we had so many injuries last season. At one point, we almost had no players left. So, they definitely want to get players for the depth.”
Timber had a heavy workload last term, given right-back Ben White underwent knee surgery in the first half of the season. Despite this, the Dutchman came out with flying colours and barely put a foot wrong.
He was exceptional with his work rate, high pressing and positioning. The versatile defender played through the pain barrier, and the club eventually decided that he should undergo an operation.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have agreed to sign just one player in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi this summer. The Spaniard was in London today to sort out the formalities for his transfer.
However, we can anticipate plenty of transfer activity in the coming weeks. A marquee striker is a top priority. The club look poised to choose between Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.
A backup goalkeeper is expected to be signed. Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga appears on the cusp of joining the club. The Spaniard has accepted a backup role behind David Raya next term.
A versatile winger and a centre-back could be purchased too. For the latter of those positions, Arsenal are reportedly progressing in talks to sign Ajax wonderkid Jorrel Hato ahead of Chelsea.
Hato has previously said that he would like to follow in the footsteps of Timber. He has also acknowledged that Timber is his ‘role model‘. Personal terms should be a formality.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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