Sources: Man Utd now make contact to sign £27m-rated star at top of his game; he loves Ten Hag

Manchester United have made contact over a move for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, according to ESPN.

Timber is just 20 years of age and is valued at a career-high £27m by Transfermarkt.

The Netherlands international has made 71 appearances for Ajax, all of which have come under new United manager Erik ten Hag.

Timber recently hailed Ten Hag following speculation of a move to Old Trafford, and it looks as if the Red Devils have been in touch over a possible summer swoop.

ESPN shared multiple Old Trafford updates on Monday afternoon, with United readying a list of centre-back targets.

They were informed by sources that intermediaries acting on United’s behalf have made contact with Ajax regarding Timber’s availability, while Villarreal’s Pau Torres has also been put to Ten Hag.

Ten Hag will know just what Timber would bring to Old Trafford, so his acquisition could be a shrewd one both in the short-term and over the long run.

As per WhoScored, Timber has been Ajax’s best-performing centre-back this season with an average rating of 7.39/10 – higher than any Manchester United player.

He will be entering the final two years of his Ajax contract in the summer, so that could be the perfect time for United to swoop ahead of Ten Hag’s first season in charge in the Premier League.

In other news: Ten Hag now wants Man Utd chiefs to sign ‘superstar’ attacker for free

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