Arsenal announced the signing of Dutch international defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax on Friday as the Gunners continue to strengthen for a Premier League title challenge.
The 22-year-old will cost an initial 40 million euros ($A66m) with a further five million euros worth of add-ons, Ajax confirmed in a statement.
Timber won two Eredivisie titles in 121 appearances for Ajax and was part of the Netherlands squad that reached the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup.
He can operate at both centre-back and right-back and will bring added depth to an Arsenal defence that struggled to cope with injuries to William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu towards the end of last season.
“We’re really excited that Jurrien has joined us,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
“He is a versatile young defender, who will fit into our system and provide our squad with so much added quality.”
Arsenal missed out on a first Premier League title for 19 years last season after finishing second behind treble winners Manchester City.
But Arteta has been strongly backed in Arsenal’s quest to end a two-decade wait to win the English top flight.
Kai Havertz has already joined from Chelsea in a £65 million deal, while Declan Rice is expected to complete a move worth up to £105 million from West Ham in the coming hours.
“I’m excited to play for this beautiful club, and I can’t wait to start, and to see the fans obviously in the stadium,” said Timber.
“I just like the way Arsenal play, it’s a bit similar to Ajax’s style and I like to play from the back. I can see a lot of similarities, especially in the way Arsenal and Ajax want to play.”
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Matildas presented with World Cup jersey | 01:58
VILLA LANDS CRUCIAL DEFENDER
Spanish international defender Pau Torres has been reunited with Aston Villa manager Unai Emery after joining the Premier League club from Villarreal on Wednesday.
Torres, 26, will join Villa for a reported fee of £35 million ($AUD67 million). The centre-back was a key part of the Villarreal side that won the Europa League under Emery in 2021 and reached the Champions League semi-finals the following year.
Torres, who has been capped 23 times by Spain, was a product of the Villarreal youth academy and made 123 appearances for his boyhood club.
The defender had also been linked with the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur over the years.
He becomes Villa’s second signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Belgian international midfielder Youri Tielemans from Leicester.
Villa are in Europe next season for the first time since 2010 after Emery oversaw a remarkable transformation in his first season in charge.
A seventh-place finish in the Premier League was enough to secure a place in the Europa Conference League.
Villa sat just outside the relegation zone when Emery replaced the sacked Steve Gerrard in October.
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ANGE BAGS FOURTH SIGNING IN SPURS MAKEOVER
Tottenham signed Israel forward Manor Solomon on a free transfer on Tuesday after his successful loan spell at Fulham.
Solomon was able to cancel his contract with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk after FIFA extended its temporary employment rules relating to the war.
That enabled the 23-year-old to join Ange Postecoglou’s side on a five-year deal after passing his medical earlier this week.
Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, foreign players contracted to clubs affiliated to Ukrainian or Russian football associations can “unilaterally suspend their employment” until June 30 2024, provided teams are informed of the suspension in writing by July 1.
With Solomon’s previous terms with Shakhtar due to expire on December 31, he was able to become a free agent after he exercised the right to suspend his current employment with the Ukraine outfit.
The winger, who has 35 Israel caps, is Tottenham’s fourth signing since the end of last season.
Dejan Kulusevski’s loan move from Juventus was made permanent, with Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and England midfielder James Maddison also arriving in north London.
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Solomon showed his potential during his loan with Fulham last season after waiting until January to make his full debut due to a serious knee injury.
He scored five goals in 24 appearances as Fulham finished a creditable 10th in the Premier League.
Solomon could face his former club Shakhtar in a friendly on August 6 after it was announced last month that Tottenham would host the Ukrainian champions.
EX-GUNNERS SKIPPER HEADS FOR EXIT DOOR
Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has joined Bayer Leverkusen from Arsenal on a five-year deal, the German club announced on Thursday.
Xhaka, 30, signed for Arsenal in 2016 and had a year remaining on his contract but was expected to leave with the Gunners pursuing a move for England international Declan Rice.
“In Granit we have been able to bring in an absolute top player,” said Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes in a club statement.
Xhaka returns to the Bundesliga in a reported 25-million-euro ($A41m) switch after a seven-year stint with Arsenal that saw him win the FA Cup twice but also be stripped of the club captaincy.
He scored 23 goals in 297 appearances for the Gunners, including twice on the final day of the season in a 5-0 home win over Wolves as Arsenal finished second in the Premier League.
His fond farewell from Arsenal supporters was evidence of Xhaka’s remarkable turnaround after he infamously swore at the crowd during a 2019 match with Crystal Palace.
“We are saying goodbye to a fantastic player and person loved by all of us,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
“It has been an incredible journey together for him and he has given absolutely everything for this club.”
Xhaka, who began his career with hometown club Basel, played in the Bundesliga with Borussia Moenchengladbach from 2012 to 2016.
“I know the league inside out and I watched it when I was in London,” said Xhaka.
11 PLAYERS DEPART IN WILD SQUAD OVERHAUL
Chelsea’s squad clean-out continues to gather pace, with 11 players now out the door – and more to follow.
Kai Havertz was sold to Arsenal for 70 million euro ($115m AUD) and Mason Mount to Manchester United for 64m euro ($105m AUD), and Mateo Kovacic joined another Premier League contender in Manchester City.
Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, and N’Golo Kante all departed to Saudi Arabian clubs.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was also sold (to AC Milan), while Teimoue Bakayoko has departed on a free transfer and Joeo Felix and Denis Zakaria returned to their parent clubs after loan deals.
The total transfer fees raised in these sales is around £193 million or $371m AUD.
Most recently, Cesar Azpilicueta’s 11-year stay at Chelsea came to an end on Thursday as the Spanish defender returned home to join Atletico Madrid.
Azpilicueta made 508 appearances for the Blues and won nine trophies, including the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and League Cup.
“Cesar leaves an everlasting mark at Chelsea as a warrior, as a champion, and as a loyal Chelsea legend,” said the club’s co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali in a statement.
“He has set the standards at the club for more than a decade and demonstrated to everyone what is required day in, day out to achieve success.”
Azpilicueta won the Premier League title under Jose Mourinho and then Antonio Conte, becoming a fan favourite for his work ethic and willingness to deputise in a number of positions.
However, his final season at Stamford Bridge was a difficult one. Chelsea finished 12th in the Premier League — their lowest placing since 1994.
“It’s difficult to express with words what I feel,” said Azpilicueta in a video posted on Chelsea’s social media accounts.
“It’s been incredible. Just thank you to everyone because it couldn’t happen without the help of a lot of people. What a journey!”
The 33-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Marseille and began his career with Osasuna, has signed a one-year deal with Spanish side Atletico.
“Cesar Azpilicueta is a new Atletico Madrid player after an agreement reached between our club and the footballer from Navarra, who will sign for one year,” Atletico said in a statement.
More departures are set to follow. Romelu Lukaku is wanted by Inter Milan, where he has been on loan. Christian Pulisic is closing in on a move to Inter’s rivals AC Milan.
And the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Marc Cucurella, and Ethan Ampadu are all up for sale.
BLUES STAR HEADS TO RED DEVILS
Mason Mount set his sights on winning major trophies with Manchester United after the England midfielder completed his move from Chelsea for a reported fee of £55 million ($105m AUD) on Wednesday.
Mount agreed a five-year contract with United with the option of a further year, and becomes Erik ten Hag’s first major close-season signing.
The 24-year-old graduated from Chelsea’s youth academy and made 129 Premier League appearances for the Stamford Bridge club, scoring 27 goals.
“It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career,” Mount said.
“Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squad it is that I’m joining, and I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies.”
Mount won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, providing the defence-splitting pass that led to Kai Havertz’s winner in the final against Manchester City.
United manager Ten Hag will hope Mount can provide energy and goals from both a central midfield berth and on the flanks at Old Trafford.
Describing himself as “hugely ambitious”, Mount cannot wait to start the new chapter in his career.
“Everyone can see that the club has made big steps forward under Erik ten Hag,” said Mount, whose fee could rise by a further £5 million in add-ons.
“Having met with the manager and discussed his plans, I couldn’t be more excited for the seasons ahead, and am ready for the hard work expected here.
“I am hugely ambitious. I know how amazing it feels to win major trophies and what it takes to do it. I will be giving everything to experience that again at Manchester United.”
‘IT’S RIGHT FOR ME’
After emerging as a key figure in Chelsea’s team under Frank Lampard and then Thomas Tuchel, Mount endured a dip in form last season.
Hampered by injuries, he struggled during a turbulent campaign marred by the sackings of Tuchel and his successor Graham Potter.
Chelsea were reported to have made several contract offers to Mount in a bid to keep the homegrown star at Stamford Bridge.
Mount had signalled his move to United by posting an emotional farewell message to Chelsea fans on Instagram late on Tuesday.
“I feel you deserve more than just a written statement, so I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I’ve been for all of your support over the last 18 years,” he said.
“I know some of you won’t be happy with my decision, but it’s what’s right for me at this moment in my career.” Mount has made 36 England appearances, helping the Three Lions reach the European Championship final in 2021 and featuring at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Manchester United football director John Murtough, described Mount as an “extremely intelligent footballer” who would be a “perfect fit” at Old Trafford.
“We have admired his talents for a long time, so we are delighted that he has chosen to take the next steps in his career here at Old Trafford,” he said.
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