Jurrien Timber clears Ajax exit amid Liverpool transfer links

Liverpool have been linked with a transfer of Ajax centre-back Jurrien Timber, who is a Dutch international from Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo

Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is valued at around £50million (Image: Peter Lous/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Reported Liverpool target Jurrien Timber has revealed he has an agreement with Ajax over a possible summer exit.
Recent reports have linked the Reds with the centre-back, who has won 15 caps for the Netherlands.

While midfield is seen as a priority for Liverpool, there’s every chance they could strengthen their defense this summer. Virgil van Dijk turns 32 in July and Timber – a product of Ajax’s famed De Toekomst academy – could become his legacy for club and country.

The 21-year-old, who is valued at £50million, is said to be on the radar of several Premier League clubs. The Reds’ bitter rivals Manchester United look like a logical option as their manager Erik ten Hag hands Timber his first-team debut while in charge of Ajax

The youngster embarked on a formidable partnership with Lisandro Martinez last season, conceding just 19 goals as the Dutch giants secured a hat-trick of Eredivisie titles. However, Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and former Liverpool cult hero Gini Wijnaldum are international team-mates and could be instrumental in tipping the balance in Anfield’s favour.

A contract until 2025 means Ajax may feel compelled to raise funds at the end of the season to recover optimum value for their prized asset. And speaking to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Timber gave his biggest hint that he could be on the move this summer.

“A transfer is approaching, so to speak,” he said. “There are a lot of concrete interests and I have agreements with Ajax.

“In the Dutch national team, I often talk to guys who play football abroad. I want to take this step one day. But when it happens, you will hear it eventually and it will be done in consultation with the Ajax.”

“I’m still here anyway and I’m in no rush. The focus now is on the cup final and the rest of the competition.”

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Liverpool Under-18s ended their Premier League North season in style by beating Newcastle United 3-1 at the Academy on Saturday afternoon.

Lewis Koumas scores in Liverpool’s second goal (Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Calum Scanlon netted two assists to ensure Liverpool U18s finished their Premier League North season with adamant strength by beating Newcastle United 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Scanlon, a full-back signed in 2021 from Championship side Birmingham City for £500,000, helped the young Reds to an early lead at Kirkby with less than 60 seconds on the clock when he crossed to end the a powerful run down the left flank Ball for James McConnell to head home against his youth club.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side doubled their lead over the Magpies just five minutes later when Scanlon became the assist again – this time with a high, perfectly weighted pass from inside his own half that Lewis Koumas gave calmly completed.

It was the fitting end to a stellar singles campaign on Merseyside for the 17-year-old, son of former West Brom and Wales striker Jason Koumas, as he scored his 16th goal of the season – a form that rewarded him with promotion to U23
The young Reds kept the competition in full control for the remainder of the half but were unable to repeat their previous outcry when McConnell and Keyrol created half chances for Figueroa after impressive work from Scanlon and the makeshift midfielder Josh Davidson.

Meanwhile, the visitors wondered how they hadn’t halved their deficit on the stroke of half-time when goalkeeper Lewis Hewitson failed to pick up a loose ball in the penalty area, after which Lucas Pitt made a superb steal and the attack Johnny Emerson’s dismissed the line.

Elijah Gift, who replaced Figueroa at half-time, highlighted an emphatic performance eight minutes after the restart, grabbing McConnell’s through ball before heading into the penalty area to past Aidan Harris for his fourth goal of the season.

Koumas would later strike Harris’ palms twice more as he worked tirelessly to add a late flurry of goals to his tally for the campaign before Newcastle ended Hewitson’s hopes of a clean sheet as Dylan Charlton’s cross came cut at the bottom of the net. after a sloppy eviction from Pitt.

The win takes the Young Reds’ season tally to 31 points after an impressive 24 games, keeping them in sixth place in the Premier League North. However, that could change if teams below them win games in hand.