Arsenal table second official bid for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber

Arsenal have tabled a new bid for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, reports Fabrizio Romano.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer of the Netherlands international due to his versatility.

Arsenal want to get a deal done this week and talks are advancing between both clubs.

The North London club had their opening bid of £30 million knocked back and have gone in with an improved offer.

Timber agreed personal terms with Arsenal last week and is expected to sign a five-year deal.

The 22-year-old can play as a centre-back and right-back, and he is seen as their right-sided equivalent of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The Ukrainian left-back was in fine form for the Gunners last term, often cutting inside from his position and playing as an inverted left-back.

Timber will provide the same balance on the right side of the pitch if Arsenal manage to convince Ajax with their subsequent offers.

They want to challenge for the Premier League title and also impress in the Champions League next term, and adding quality depth and versatility to their back four will come in handy.

Arteta experimented with an inverted right-back by playing Thomas Partey in that position last season, but the move yielded mixed results.

Arsenal suffered defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest with the Ghana international midfielder playing in that position.

They thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-0 on the final day of the campaign with the same tactics, and having Timber could see it yield positive results consistently.

The Ajax ace is very comfortable on the ball, boasts an impressive passing range, technicality and dribbling ability, and Arsenal could do with such a player.