Arsenal will have great pulling power in this summer's transfer window but one potential transfer interest could slip through their fingers thanks to Liverpool.
Jurrien Timber will be like a new signing next season given his maiden year at Arsenal has been essentially wiped out due his serious knee injury picked up on the opening day.
He might make an appearance within the final three matches for the Gunners as they make one last push for the Premier League title. Arsenal’s defence could soon turn into one of the best in Europe.
Many believe the centre-back partnership between Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba is already among the continent’s elite while a new left-back this summer with Timber at right-back could make Mikel Arteta’s side a force to be reckoned with and potentially title favourites.
Arteta is also being backed to search for another midfielder this summer to form a formidable midfield trio with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. One player linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium is the twin brother of Timber, Quinten.
The midfielder has been in inspiring form for Feyenoord since recovering from a knee injury last season. Winning his first Netherlands cap in March, the 22-year-old is on an upwards trajectory. He says his sibling was always an Arsenal fan and he would undoubtedly be wide-eyed at the possibility of playing in the same side.
Arne Slot may wish to tempt him to think otherwise, though. The Dutchman is poised for a move to Anfield and could aim to take over a few of his current players with him.
Quinten has flourished under the 45-year-old and has posted eight goals and nine assists this season. Slot could be the thorn in Arteta’s side if the Spaniard wishes to sanction a transfer approach.
The midfield pecking order at Liverpool will be unknown going into the new season as Slot inherits a squad he did not comprise. He may lure Quinten with game-time opportunities, despite the competition in the centre of the park at Anfield.
Arsenal also have healthy numbers in midfield but Arteta could arguably offer him more game time with fewer senior options. The Gunners boss has been in a similar auction before, though.
He learned that Lisandro Martinez had chosen to reunite with former boss Erik ten Hag at Manchester United in 2022 after a phone call from the player but won the battle for Jurrien Timber last summer.
There could come a fork in the road for Quinten - choosing between the consistency of Arteta’s grip on Arsenal or the familiarity of Slot in an unfamiliar setting. Both offer Champions League football but perhaps only Arsenal can guarantee a title race.
The chance to play alongside his twin is also an immeasurable pull. If Quinten does decide to leave Feyenoord but ends up rejecting Arsenal - if indeed wanted by Arteta - it will likely be because of Slot.