Real Madrid 'preparing to battle Manchester United for Jurrien Timber'

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, with Los Blancos preparing to battle Manchester United for his signature.

The 21-year-old was strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer, but he ultimately signed a new contract with Ajax, and he has again been a vital player for the Dutch champions this term.

Timber has featured on 14 occasions in the Eredivisie during the 2022-23 campaign, in addition to playing in all six of their matches in the group stage of the Champions League.

The defender is currently with the Netherlands squad at the World Cup, meanwhile, and he played the full 90 minutes in his side's 1-1 draw with Ecuador last time out.

Timber has a contract in Amsterdam until June 2025, but there has again been speculation surrounding his future over the last few weeks.

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Man United are believed to be considering reigniting their interest in 2023, with Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag remaining a huge admirer of the versatile defender.

Timber made his first-team debut for Ajax in 2019, and he has represented the Dutch club on 95 occasions in all competitions, contributing four goals and four assists.

According to Fichajes, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has identified Timber as an ideal signing during next summer's transfer window.

The report claims that Los Blancos want to sign a young centre-back for the future, with David Alaba, 30, and Antonio Rudiger, 29, not long-term signings for the club.

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Nacho could potentially leave Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer, which would open up space in the squad to bring in another central defender.

There had been suggestions over the summer that Timber had been warned off moving to Man United by Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal, who managed the club between 2014 and 2016.

However, the defender insisted that was not the case, telling ADnl: "It was fake that was Louis van Gaal who told me not to go to Manchester United this summer. Van Gaal actually said I would make minutes there, so that story was not true."

Real Madrid are also believed to be one of the favourites to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham during next summer's transfer window.