Arsenal ready new contract offer for player who is ‘one of the best in the world’, and it’s not Bukayo Saka

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TBR Football understands Arsenal are planning to reward Jurrien Timber with a significant new contract after he cemented his place as first choice in Mikel Arteta’s first-team.

Jurrien Timber moved to the Emirates in the summer of 2023, from Ajax, but he suffered an ACL injury on his debut and missed most of that season.

Last term, the defender returned and was outstanding, and has made the starting right-back berth his own ahead of Ben White.

Timber has begun this term in fine style and looks like one of the best right-backs in Europe.

Arsenal firmly believe the star has proved himself, and TBR Football is told that Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of the Dutchman, who he pushed hard to land back in 2023.

With William Saliba the latest to extend his Arsenal contract, while talks ramp up over a new deal for Bukayo Saka, it seems as though Timber could also land an extension.

• READ MORE: Full list of Arsenal contract expiry dates including summer 2026 and beyond

Arsenal prepared to offer a new contract to Jurrien Timber

Andrea Berta has been particularly impressive early on at Arsenal, having done plenty of work as the sporting director so far.

Not only did he manage to spend over £250 million in the summer transfer window on eight quality Arsenal signings, but he has made quick work of dealing with the squad’s contract situations.

Now, we can reveal that whilst new deals for the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, William Saliba, and Bukayo Saka were the priorities for Berta when he arrived earlier this year, sorting out Jurrien Timber’s future was always on the agenda.

We were told talks are now pencilled for before the end of the year with the Dutchman’s representatives, and Timber will be due a significant rise, given he is not one of their highest earners currently. His current deal expires in 2028.

Our chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, confirmed: “Jurrien Timber has been brilliant for Arsenal, despite having missed his first season with the club – he impressed hugely with the way he bounced back and has become a huge part of their defence.

“Arsenal really see him as one of the best in the world in his role.”

That could now be reflected in a brand new contract, even with just under three years remaining on his current deal.

An increase in wages would show just how important he has been and continues to be for Arsenal for the present and the future.

• READ MORE: £17m player now admits he wishes he signed for Arsenal under Arsene Wenger

How Jurrien Timber used Max Verstappen to inspire Arsenal’s success

For many players, recovering from an ACL injury takes time and patience, and even at the end of it, those stars may not come back to the player they once were.

For Timber, that has not been the case, as he continues to excel week after week for Arsenal ever since returning.

A positive 2024/25 campaign has been followed up by a good start to 2025/26, laying the defensive foundations for a team looking to challenge at the top level.

Timber’s success doesn’t just come from what he does on the pitch, though, but also from what he does away from it.

Speaking after returning from injury in 2024, he revealed how Kobe Bryant and Max Verstappen were models for success.

He told NBC Sports: “Yeah, I like to look at winners, in the NBA you see them a lot.

“But for example, Max Verstappen as well, you see his interviews after games [races] and you’re like, ‘Wow, this guy is such a big winner’ and I just love to see that and I love to see his comments about things that have happened after a race.”

When speaking about how well that can translate to helping Arsenal, he added: “Yeah, definitely, I think we have it a lot already and we have a lot of winners and leadership in the group already, but it’s always good to add, I think.”

That has certainly worked, as he looks to be a guaranteed starter every week in a team that is pushing to be the best they can be.