West Ham are interested in signing the brother of one of Arsenal’s star players as Graham Potter looks to improve his struggling team.
Following a dismal 2024/25 campaign, West Ham got off to the worst possible start to this Premier League season, suffering an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Sunderland on the opening weekend.
They have the chance to bounce back on Friday night when they host capital rivals Chelsea, with Potter going up against his old club.
Keen to lift the mood at the London Stadium, the Irons boss is looking to made a couple of statement signings in midfield, specifically a No.6 and No.8.
It is said that they have made a bid for Monaco’s Soungoutou Magassa who will fill the defensive midfield role vacated by Edson Alvarez who is close to joining Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on loan.
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As for a new No.8, The Guardian report that West Ham’s shortlist includes Rennes’ Djaoui Cisse, Werder Bremen’s Romano Schmid, Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor and Torino’s Ivan Ilic.
But it also notably features Quinten Timber, twin brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber.
The twins came through the Feyenoord and Ajax academies together but went their separate ways in 2021 when Quinten was sold to FC Utrecht before rejoining Feyenoord a year later.
The highly-rated Dutch international has helped his side win the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup but now has just one year left on his contract, so could be available for a discounted fee.
This will appeal to West Ham who are eyeing up Timber after being priced out of a move for Matheus Fernandes, who is valued at £50million by Southampton.
‘Quinten Timber is definitely a Premier League player’
Back in February, former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden suggested that Quinten Timber would be a great signing for the Reds, comparing the midfielder positively to his twin:
‘The Dutch always have promising players, youngsters that are destined for the bigger stage.
‘One name Liverpool could sign and his brother is already playing for Arsenal, which is Timber. Quinten Timber is doing really well at Feyenoord.
‘He’s similar to his brother but he plays in midfield. He would definitely be a player that could do well in the Premier League.’
Quinten was made Feyenoord captain last year and recorded six goals and one assist in 26 appearances before his season was cut short by a bad knee injury.
Jurrien meanwhile remained at Ajax until 2023 before joining Arsenal where his versatility has made him a vital part of Mikel Arteta’s side, though he has struggled with injuries.
Should Quinten join his brother in London, the twins could go head-to-head on October 4 when the Gunners welcome the Irons to the Emirates.
For now, Arsenal host Leeds United on Saturday evening, with Timber in line to start despite a potential fitness issue.
‘On Jurrien we have to manage his load, he has been out for a long time,’ Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
‘We had a long week, we have to manage the load and we have decided to take a little bit of training down.’
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