Bayern Munich initiate transfer talks with Ajax defender amidst links to Premier League

Bayern Munich have swooped down on another Ajax Amsterdam starlet, Jurrien Timber, who is also on the radar of Premier League sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Timber is one of the fastest rising stars in the Eredivisie, having only made his senior debut in 2019. He has since scored six caps with Oranje of Netherlands on the international stage too and is touted as a future replacement for Virgil Van Dijk in the heart of the Netherlands defence.

The 20-year-old has been linked to Man United since Ajax manager Erik ten Hag was confirmed to be taking over the Premier League club in the summer. It is understood that Timber is one of a number of players that ten Hag wants to take along with him to United.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are linked to the defender by only the media, with no sources at the club or around it able to confirm the links.

However, both clubs’ chances of landing the defender look to be in danger as Bayern have entered the fray. Sky Sports Germany reports that the Bavarians and Timber’s representatives have begun discussions over the defender’s move to Germany in the summer.

Bayern will be losing Niklas Sulë to Borussia Dortmund for free after the defender chose not to renew his contract at the Allianz Arena. Timber is one of their options to replace the 26-year-old defender.

Timber is the third Ajax player being targeted by the German Bundesliga giants for a summer transfer. Teenage midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and Moroccan international Noussair Mazraoui are on the verge of joining the club as well.

Bayern are also looking to sign Red Bull Leipzig ace Christopher Nkunku in the summer.

The 24-year-old is having the best season of his career in the Bundesliga. He has scored 31 goals and assisted another 20 in 48 total appearances for Die Roten Bullen, and is also leading the club’s charge in the UEFA Europa League.

Bayern, however, will have to contend with Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United Real Madrid and AC Milan for the attacking midfielder who is valued at €60 million by Leipzig.

Nkunku has a contract at the club until 2024 and Leipzig are not willing to part with the player while he still has two years on his contract. Leipzig are also looking at ways to extend his contract beyond its current expiry date.