This summer is likely to herald some significant changes at Anfield as a host of first-team players look set to depart to make way for fresh reinforcements. It now appears that the international teammate of two Liverpool stars is open to a move in the coming months.

Although revamping Jürgen Klopp’s midfield will be high on the agenda in the upcoming transfer window, signing some cover in the center of defense will also likely be an objective for recruitment chiefs. The first-choice pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté looks pretty set in stone at this point. However, the futures of a couple of the Reds’ backup options are far from certain.

Long-serving defenders Joël Matip and Nat Phillips could well be moved on this summer, with the former’s contract soon to enter its final year and the latter seeking regular football elsewhere. On top of this, the form of Joe Gomez this season has been inconsistent, which may also be a concern for Klopp.

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All this considered, links with versatile Ajax defender Jurrien Timber in recent months have made a lot of sense, with the 21-year-old having established himself as a reliable performer for the Eredivisie giant over the past three seasons. The 15-time Netherlands international has racked up 116 appearances for the four-time European champion since making his debut back in 2020 and will be the subject of interest from a host of clubs this summer.

It has been a stellar few years for the center-back, who can also play right-back, with Timber having won back-to-back league titles, claiming the Eredivisie Player of the Year award last term. He has been an ever-present for Ajax so far this campaign in the league, with the historic Dutch club having struggled to hit the heights of previous seasons, currently sitting in third in the Eredivisie.

According to GOAL, the defender — who is rated at $47m (£37m/€42m) by Transfermarkt — is already attracting admirers at Manchester United, who is tipped to rival Liverpool for his signature this summer. Furthermore, in an interview with De Telegraaf, Timber provided a significant indication that his time in Amsterdam may be coming to a close, saying: “A transfer is getting closer and closer, so to speak.

“There is a lot of concrete interest and I have made agreements with Ajax. At the Dutch national team, I often talk to boys who play football abroad. I want to take that step someday.

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“But when that is, you will eventually hear and it will happen in consultation with Ajax. I’m still here anyway and I’m in no hurry. The focus is now on the cup final and the remainder of the competition.”