MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly look set for transfer disappointment as Liverpool close in on a move for Ajax’s Jurrien Timber – with the star’s girlfriend house-hunting on Merseyside.
The Holland centre-back shone at the World Cup finals, where he played alongside Reds and national captain Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool appear to be leading the chase for Jurrien Timber
Timber, 21, has won two Eredivisie titles and a Dutch FA Cup in the past two seasons with Ajax.
Manchester United wanted to sign Timber last summer, but saw their pursuit fall flat as he signed a contract extension.
However, the 21-year-old recently indicated that he may leave the Dutch champions with the Red Devils still keen.
But Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp has set his sights on the Utrecht-born ace – and Timber is tempted by the potential move, says Voetbal.
Ajax will seek around £50million for the versatile defender, who can also operate at right-back and is under contract until 2025.
He has made 41 appearances for the Amsterdam club this season, but is eager to leave with Ajax eight points behind leaders and arch-rivals Feyenoord.
Experts discussed Timber’s future on Dutch TV show Veronica Offside on Monday night.
Presenter Wilfred Genee insisted: “It appears that Timber’s girlfriend is looking for a house in Liverpool.
“He is also very preoccupied with it, so he will probably make a quick departure.”
Ex-Ajax and Everton winger Andy van der Meyde said: “You can sometimes see now when he’s on the pitch that he is thinking: ‘If only I’d left sooner!’ “
And Holland great Wesley Sneijder added: “Timber is a bright lad, and a genuinely good defender.”
However ex-Real Madrid playmaker Sneijder warned: “He will lose every aerial battle against the ‘wardrobes’ in the Premier League.
“That will be his downfall. Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez is also short, but he comes out on top everywhere.”
Timber has won 15 caps, and helped Holland reach the World Cup quarter-finals last December.
