When it comes to West Ham United’s potential midfield solutions, former Premier League star Rafael van der Vaart cannot speak highly enough of one reportedly on Graham Potter’s radar.
After Jacob Ramsey joined Newcastle from Aston Villa over the weekend in an initial £39 million deal, the shelves look worryingly bare for a Hammers side whose midfield deficiencies were brutally exposed during that 3-0 trouncing at Sunderland.
Mateus Fernandes is keen to leave Southampton for the London Stadium, according to insider Sean Whetstone. West Ham’s opening bid fell £20 million short of the Saints’ preferred asking price, however, with a lot of hoops still to be jumped through.
Southampton’s CEO insists an agreement is not ‘close’, with this saga expected to drag on towards deadline day.
One alternative under consideration, according to ExWHUEmployee, is Quinten Timber of Feyenoord. Someone Rafael van der Vaart believes has proven himself to be a footballer of genuine Champions League quality at De Kuip.
And with a contract expiring in 2026, Feyenoord cannot – unlike Southampton – say they hold all the cards.
Rafael van der Vaart speaking ahead of AFC Ajax v PFC Ludogorets Razgrad: UEFA Champions League - Play Off Round Second Leg
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Rafael van der Vaart raves about West Ham United-linked Feyenoord ace Quinten Timber
An Ajax academy graduate like his twin brother, Arsenal defender Jurrien, Quinten Timber was part of the Feyenoord side which claimed the 2023 Eredivisie title under now-Liverpool coach Arne Slot.
A la Mateus Fernandes, Timber is an athletic, technically gifted, purposeful central midfielder with a penchant for driving forwards from deep positions. He scored seven and five goals respectively across the last two campaigns, with a former Tottenham, Real Madrid and Netherlands playmaker viewing him as the standout talent in Feyenoord’s roster.
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“My position today is that Quinten Timber is the only Feyenoord player who can reach the Champions League level,” Van der Vaart tells Studio Voetbal.
“I think he’s the only Feyenoord player who can reach the absolute top.”
“He’s truly playing at Champions League level, so I actually agree with Rafael,” says reporter Arno Vermeulen, speaking shortly after a 6-4 aggregate defeat by Fenerbahce in the Champions League qualifiers.
“Feyenoord really faltered in Istanbul but, with Timber, you could still see he can compete at a higher level.”
champions league trophy
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Robin van Persie thinks Timber will stay amid Manchester United claims
According to Football Transfers, Timber could be available for around £23 million due to his contract situation. Southampton, by the way, want twice as much for former Sporting Lisbon starlet Fernandes.
De Telegraaf also reported back in July that discussions over a new deal are not going as planned from a Feyenoord perspective. Interestingly, Manchester United have allegedly identified Timber as a potential alternative to their own top target, Carlos Baleba.
As far as Feyenoord’s head coach is concerned – a certain Robin van Persie – Timber is likely to stay put even if that means he may leave Rotterdam for free in 12 months time.
“I hope he stays. He has another year on his contract,” the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker told reporters a week ago. “I assume he will stay.
“I don’t see what that has to do with [losing] the match against Fenerbahce and [missing out on] Champions League football. I don’t see that connection.”
Speaking of Dutch football, West Ham’s own Edson Alvarez has been linked with a return to Ajax over the course of the last few days.
Alvarez’s agent accepts an Ajax homecoming is ‘difficult’, though, with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce reportedly a more likely destination.
Contrary to recent media claims, however, Hammers News have been told that suggestions of an imminent West Ham exit are ‘not true’ at this stage.