Man Utd: £43m star 'among Ten Hag's top targets' at Old Trafford

Manchester United will have Ajax defender Jurrien Timber among their ‘top targets’ for the summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

New United manager Erik ten Hag brought the 20-year-old into the first-team frame at the Johan Cruyff ArenA and could now attempt to bring him to Old Trafford over the coming months.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils are ‘in contact’ with Ajax over Timber as Ten Hag wants to make the centre-back one of his first signings.

The Netherlands international still has two years remaining on his current contract with the Amsterdam giants, though, leaving them in a strong position around the negotiating table.

Ajax are said to value Timber in the region of €50 million (£43m) and United’s discussions with the club are said to be at an initial stage.

However, the four-time European champions are understood to have offered their academy graduate fresh terms in an attempt to retain his services, meaning his arrival at United is far from guaranteed.

United are expected to strengthen at the heart of defence after struggling to keep clean sheets last season, and O’Rourke believes Timber could ‘become a big player’ for the club.

Timber deal close! De Jong deal agreed with Barca?!? Hear the latest Man United news on the Football Terrace…

He told GiveMeSport: “Yeah, I think probably Jurrien Timber will be among his top targets. Lots of reports are suggesting that United are looking for centre-back reinforcements, so I think Timber would be right up there.

“He’s a very young player with huge potential, so he could become a big player for Manchester United now and in the future if they were to sign him.”

Timber has gone on to win six caps for the Netherlands since Ten Hag handed