ARSENAL PONDER 25.7M ULTIMATUM CONFIRMS FINAL TRANSFER DECISION AS JURYAN TIMBER REPLACEMENT

Mikel Arteta ‘open’ to further additions to his Arsenal squad before the summer transfer window closes at the end of the month

Arsenal have been dealt a major blow in hopes of replacing Jurgen Timberlake with Benjamin Pavard. The 22-year-old defender, who recently joined the Gunners from Ajax, has suffered a devastating knee injury which is expected to keep him out of action for a while.

Late in the first half of Arsenal’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, Timber went down on his right knee after receiving treatment, he returned to the field for the second half but was quickly replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu.

After several scans and further assessment, the north London team later revealed that Timber had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. In an official statement, Arsenal confirmed that the Netherlands international will undergo surgery and will, as a result, be ‘out of action for some time’.

With the Timbers expected to miss a large chunk of the season, Mikel Arteta has entered the market for a like-minded replacement. So, according to Metro, the Gunners considered a move for Pavard from Bayern Munich

Reports say the Red Devils are also interested in the 27-year-old, but are struggling to fund a bid after failing to sell Harry Maguire. Ironically, United have been in the market for a versatile defender since Arsenal beat out their signature from Wood.

Pavard’s contract at the Allianz Arena expires at the end of next season, making him available for a cut-price fee (€30m (£25.7m)).However, despite the France international’s increasingly uncertain future, Bayern have decided he will stay. , according to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.

The Bundesliga champions’ decision follows comments from Thomas Tuchel, who insisted Pavard has a future at the club. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the former Chelsea boss said: “Benji didn’t tell me he really wanted to leave. So far, there has not been an offer. He is our player and gets full support. Until this changes, we are completely dependent on him.”

With Pavard set to stay at Bayern, Arsenal have just over a week to find Wood’s replacement. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Arteta revealed how the Gunners will deal with the Dutchman’s absence.

“We didn’t plan for this injury so we have to evaluate what options we have now, the best way to get the best out of the players we have,” said the Spaniard. “Because, as I said, my biggest challenge now is to get the best out of the players we have.

“I can’t control something that’s not here and we’re open and we have to be open to react if something happens.” Not only with the injury but the market as well and that’s what we’re doing.