Man Utd working on key summer move after secret Ten Hag meeting; target's reps now 'in England'

Manchester United are working on a move for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, with his representatives now ‘in England’.

Erik ten Hag recently terminated his Ajax contract six weeks early in order to make a head start on life at Old Trafford and is now in England.

He was pictured in London following a ‘secret’ Manchester United meeting in the week with chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough.

The 52-year-old is set to be busy in the transfer window, and it looks as if Timber – who has been a regular under the new United boss during his time with Ajax – could be one of the first signings of the Ten Hag era at Old Trafford.

Journalist Jonathan Shrager took to Twitter in the early hours of Sunday morning to provide an update on Timber and United.

He stressed that a deal is not yet done, although the 20-year-old’s ‘representation is currently in England’, adding that there is ‘a belief’ that United are the frontrunners in the race for his services.

You’d expect that Ten Hag may see United’s defence as an area which needs improving after conceding more league goals than the likes of Burnley and Brentford this season.

His Ajax side, of which Timber was a key component, conceded just 19 goals in the Eredivisie this season, 15 fewer than the next-best defence in the Dutch top flight.

Timber is still just 20 years of age, can play anywhere across the back four, is valued at a career-high £27m by Transfermarkt and already has Champions League and international experience, so a summer deal for him could be big for Ten Hag both in the short- and long-term.

In other news: Strong bid tabled as Man Utd and Ten Hag now make big move for ‘genius’ signing

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