Jurrien Timber sent transfer warning amid Manchester United links

Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart has warned Jurrien Timber of the difficulties he would face were he to leave Ajax, amid links with a move to Manchester United.

Timber has previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with the defender tipped to join former boss Erik ten Hag. Having pursued Timber's signature last year, United eventually opted to sign Lisandro Martinez instead.

However, that has not stopped the links, with another impressive individual season attracting interest across Europe. Ten Hag is thought to be eyeing defensive reinforcements this summer, with the future of Harry Maguire uncertain. Eric Bailly will likely depart this summer, with Phil Jones' exit already confirmed.

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“I am a huge fan of him [Timber],” Van der Vaart told Ziggo Sport. “Sometimes he is too good, so he deals with situations too casually.

“This season has been difficult for the whole team. I think that if you stay and things go better next season, you will join a bigger club after next season. You see [what can go wrong] with [Ryan] Gravenberch.”

Fellow former Ajax star Gravenberch left Amsterdam last summer, signing for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. However, the 21-year-old has struggled to break into the first team on a regular basis, with just two of his 23 Bundesliga appearances coming as a starter.

Speaking in April, Timber spoke of his desire to make the step up to one of Europe's elite sides, hinting that he is aware of the interest in him.

“A transfer is getting closer and closer, so to speak,” he revealed to De Telegraaf in April. "There is a lot of concrete interest and I have made agreements with Ajax. Last year Ajax asked