Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has confirmed he has received plenty of interest regarding a summer transfer but could opt to remain in Amsterdam for one more season.
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The 21-year-old was targeted by Manchester United last summer but opted to reject a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, instead believing his hopes of playing at the World Cup would be boosted by staying at Ajax – something which proved to be the case.
United are thought to be keen to reignite a move for Timber this summer, while Liverpool and Serie A champions Napoli have also joined the growing queue of suitors scrambling for his signature.
Timber has now confirmed that he will sit down and assess his options in the summer, though he is not opposed to remaining at Ajax – even if they fail to qualify for the Champions League – and has already spoken to the club’s new football director Sven Mislintat.
Speaking to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, he said: ‘I met him here at De Toekomst [Ajax’s training ground] and then we spoke briefly and one-on-one.
‘He spoke longer with my agent. As far as I know, Ajax wants to keep me here.
‘Other than that, it is difficult for me to say anything about it. Conversations about this will follow soon.’
On the rumoured battle to sign him among some of Europe’s biggest clubs, Timber continued: ‘I’m now in the same situation as last year.
‘I don’t know yet if I’m going to make that step now. I’m glad I’m at Ajax. You can always show yourself here.
‘It’s not like I’m gone if we don’t play the Champions League. Ajax remains Ajax.
‘What I look at: if I leave, is the whole picture correct? I also know how important the coach and the guys around you are.
‘I assume that next season will be better. With or without me, Ajax usually gets it back on track.
‘I understand the guys who think: if a top club comes, I will go. It is also difficult to say no. Only, I don’t have that at all.
‘In my case everything is still open. Quite a lot is happening in the background in terms of interest. I will soon see what the concrete options are.’
MORE : Napoli interested in signing Jurrien Timber as replacement for Manchester United target Kim Min-Jae
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