Arsenal swoop for Liverpool transfer target as Villarreal make Chukwueze vow

21 June 2023 , 04:00

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Arsenal have submitted an opening bid for Jurrien Timber, who has also been linked with Liverpool (Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Having failed to qualify for the Champions League, Liverpool are set for a major rebuild this summer.

There has already been plenty of movement at Anfield, with James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Roberto Firmino all leaving the club on free transfers. Alexis Mac Allister, meanwhile, has become Liverpool's first summer signing after completing a £35m move from Brighton.

Several more new signings are expected in the coming months as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his side, with the fact Liverpool are in the Europa League not expected to count against them. With that in mind, here are some of the main transfer talking points emerging out of Anfield.

Arsenal swoop for Timber

Both Liverpool and Manchester United have long been credited with an interest in Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, but Arsenal are attempting to gazump their Premier League rivals

According to the Athletic, Arsenal have submitted a £30m offer for the Dutch international. However, they remain £20m short of Ajax's £50m asking price, with the 22-year-old having two years left on his current contract. The report states that 'there is optimism a compromise can be reached' and that Timber has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners.

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Timber admitted back in April that he was likely to leave this summer, telling De Telegraaf: "There is a lot of concrete interest and I have made agreements with Ajax. Last year, Ajax asked me to stay for at least one more season and to extend my contract. As a club boy, I did that with love and after the season we agreed to review the situation."

Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze (Getty Images)

Villarreal chief makes Chukwueze vow

Villarreal's president Fernando Roig has admitted winger Samuel Chukwueze could be sold this summer, with Liverpool among those said to be interested, but vowed they will not "undersell" him even with only a year left on his contract.

"It is true that he is excited to play for a big club in Europe or in the Premier League," Roig told Spanish outlet AS. If this option came up, we would sit down and negotiate it. But it will be necessary to see if any beneficial offer arrives for the three parties.

"In this case, no offer has yet arrived. What we are clear about is that if something very good doesn't come, he will stay. We don't care if there's a year left. To break even, we have to sell. But let us be clear that we are not in a hurry. Nor are we going to undersell anyone."

Micky van de Ven's agent has spoken out about the defender's future (Getty Images)

Van de Ven's agent speaks

Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven has also been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool and the player's agent has admitted there are "many clubs" interested in signing him.

"Micky has played a fantastic season," Jose Fortes Rodriguez told WAZ. "There are many clubs that are interested. It would be stupid to say now that he will definitely stay in Wolfsburg. Anything can happen this summer.

"A player like Micky, who has developed so well – the calls from the clubs come automatically. I am asked: 'What is the situation? Do we have a chance?' As I said, anything can happen this summer. It could be that he leaves. But if the right club doesn’t come along, why shouldn’t Micky stay in Wolfsburg?"

Matthew Cooper