David Tully Aug 16th 2025
Manchester United have identified Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber as a “cheaper alternative” to Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, according to reports.
FootballTransfers.com Netherlands reporter Milan Keskin claims sources have told him that the brother of Arsenal star Jurrien Timber is a serious option that the Red Devils are considering.
The Feyenoord star has less than a year left on his contract at De Kuip, and his club may have to reluctantly let him go this summer to prevent the player from leaving on a free transfer next year.
All the signs point towards Timber being sold before the transfer window shuts, having been recently stripped of the club’s captaincy by head coach Robin van Persie.
What do Man United fans need to know about Timber?
The midfielder came through Ajax’s academy before joining FC Utrecht on a free transfer in the summer of 2021.
After just one season, Timber had earned himself a move to Feyenoord, where he has been a regular starter over the last three years.
He is still only 24 years of age, which means he is the perfect profile for United. His ability to play in both deep-lying and advanced midfield roles means he is also very well-equipped for Ruben Amorim’s double pivot.
What is the latest on Baleba?
The Red Devils have reportedly cooled their interest in the Cameroon international after making club-to-club contact with Brighton over the past couple of days.
It is believed the main stumbling block is the asking price. With the Seagulls said to be demanding up to £115m, Amorim’s side have decided to move on to other targets. It could potentially lead them to making a bid for Timber or another player such as Morten Hjulmand prior to the transfer deadline on September 1st.
Read more about the Manchester United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here
David Tully
David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World’s Football News Network.
