Liverpool legend John Barnes has made it clear he rates Ajax defender Jurrien Timber highly and would welcome him to Anfield as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk.
The highly-rated young Dutchman has impressed in the Eredivisie in recent times, and it seems he now has his heart set on a bigger move.
That’s what was recently reported by Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg via his official Twitter page, though he didn’t name any specific suitors and also made it cleat that Ajax want to keep the player, even if an offer of around €50million could be enough to make them change their minds…
News #Timber: Ajax definitely wants to keep him as he’s their key player! In case of his transfer in summer his price valuation is around €50m at this stage! Ajax has no concrete offers for him yet. Timber wants to join a top club! @SkySportDE ?? pic.twitter.com/fu2q9G4KO9
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 2, 2023
As noted by Barnes, Liverpool could do with a top young defender coming in to help them eventually replace Van Dijk, who is not getting any younger and who already looks like he could be entering into decline.
Timber looks to have a big future in the game, so could be an ideal long-term option for LFC.
“Of course I know that he played together with Van Dijk in the Dutch national team and according to the latest rumours Van Dijk has told him that he has to go to Anfield,” Barnes told Soccer News.
“He is a good player and would therefore be a good asset to Liverpool. Virgil is already over thirty and he will not stay with the club forever. So in the long term it’s not just about ‘coming to The Reds to form a duo with Van Dijk.’
“Liverpool also just needs to look for a new defender for the future. And in that respect, Timber would of course be a fantastic option if we manage to capture him.”