Liverpool have been linked with Netherlands international defender Jurrien Timber in recent weeks.
Back in March, 90Min reported that the Reds had set their sights on the 21-year-old Ajax ace.
Timber has reportedly asked his representatives to explore interested suitors ahead of the transfer window.
As well as Liverpool, the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich are apparently in pursuit too.
On Sunday, Timber and his Ajax teammates found themselves on the receiving end of a 3-0 loss at PSV Eindhoven.
Dutch legend Marco van Basten slated most of the team, with the reported Anfield target the sole exception.
He even suggested Ajax’s poor form means the likes of Timber could drop in value ahead of the summer window.
“Ajax is really a unique club at the moment,” Van Basten said, as per FC Update.
“If you’ve made ten purchases, and all ten are disasters, you’ve done your homework very well.
“Out of all ten, you can’t point to one good purchase that has proven to be worth the money invested.
“In fact, they’ve dropped in value enormously It is special that you manage to create such a bad team.”
Van Basten went on to single players out, saying: “The keeper is not convincing. Sanchez does not help.
“Timber is the only one who can do anything, Hato is a young boy on the left.
“Wijndal is not good enough, and what does Grillitsch bring?”
Our view
With Liverpool needing to revamp their squad, Timber would no doubt be a good shout for Jurgen Klopp and co.
Virgil van Dijk has called him a ‘great player’ and believes he has ’so much potential’, tipping him for a big future.
As per FBRef, Timber is amongst the best performing centre-backs in Europe across a number of areas.
With his combination of versatility, defensive skills and technical ability, he looks like he could become a star.
Van Basten’s comments about the Liverpool target’s value should probably be taken with a pinch of salt, however.
With so many clubs reportedly in the running for Timber, there could well be a bidding war.
However, Timber’s contract running until 2025, and if he were to push for a summer move, Ajax’s hand wouldn’t be particularly strong in negotiations.
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