As reported last week, Arsenal have reached a full agreement with Ajax to sign defender Jurrien Timber. The Premier League side will pay €40million (£34.3m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in largely realistic bonuses for the stopper.
With Arsenal set to sign Timber, they will have three quality first-team centre-backs who can rotate throughout a season they are set to challenge in four competitions.
The Gunners had to rely on Rob Holding and Jakub Kiwior as cover last season, with both proving they are not good enough to fill in for William Saliba or Gabriel.
Now though, an insight into who Arsenal were looking at to fill the centre-back role before they secured Timber’s services has been revealed by Fabrizio Romano:
“Mohamed Simakan – As previously reported, he was one of the names on Arsenal’s list in defence this summer. But Arsenal instead ended up signing Jurrien Timber so I think they’re fine with him, I don’t see another movement in that position honestly,” Romano said. “The situation for Simakan is now quiet and also, Leipzig already made big money with the sale of Dominik Szoboszlai.”
10 best forwards to pick for your 2023/24 Fantasy Premier League side
