Bayern Munich hold preliminary talks with Jurrien Timber
The reports in Germany over the last month have suggested that Bayern Munich may settle with no signing in central defense in the upcoming transfer window. The Bavarian club was interested in Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen to replace departing Niklas Sule, but the Danish opted for a move to Barcelona.
After missing out on Christensen, the general noise in German media was Bayern not dipping into the market for a center-back. However, the last week or so has seen Die Roten linked with Ajax’s promising defender Jurrien Timber. The Bavarian club is following the young central defender, but the latest update from Germany suggests that interest in the player might be much more concrete.
According to Sky Sports in Germany, Die Roten’s technical director Marco Neppe has already held talks with Timber’s entourage. The German champions are keenly following his situation, but it remains to be seen whether a move will take place this summer.
Ajax has plenty of leverage to get a good fee for Timber. Moreover, the 20-year-old center-back will get better with every passing season, so Ajax will look for a significant fee to part ways this year. Die Roten could face competition from Manchester United for the signing of Timber.
Timber has operated as a right-back for Ajax in a few games this season. He is comfortable on the ball and more than a competent defender out of possession. Timber’s good performances at the club level have been rewarded with international caps for the Netherlands. Die Roten may have to move for him this summer since more clubs may join the race if he continues to get better at Ajax.
Meanwhile, two possible Bayern targets for the center-back position are set to join other clubs. Freiburg’s Nico Schlotterbeck has sealed a move to Borussia Dortmund. The young German defender has been linked with a move to Bavaria on several occasions during the season.
Freiburg is set to replace Schlotterbeck with Matthias Ginter. The 28-year-old central defender was on the lift of defenders that Rekordmeister was targeting to replace Sule. He is set to leave Borussia Monchengladbach on a free transfer in June.
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Despite reports linking Timber to Bayern, the most likely scenario is Bayern not signing a center-back in the summer. Benjamin Pavard is set to play in the center-back position more regularly next season, while Ajax’s Noussair Mazraoui will be the first choice right-back. Timber could definitely be a long-term target for Rekordmeister, so they are putting the groundwork for a future move.