At this stage of the season, whenever a player linked with a move away turns in a below-par display – like the one served up by the West Ham United target this weekend – criticism can often turn into questions of his focus, of his loyalty.
Was a poor performance simply that? Even the greatest footballers in the world are not immune to the odd off-day.
Or is there something else at play?
After Hammers News reported that West Ham are interested in Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber ahead of the January transfer window, has the Dutch international been distracted by a recent resurgence of transfer speculation?
A source revealed a few weeks ago that Nuno Espirito Santo is a big fan of Timber. Having shown an interest in the 2023 Eredivisie champion at Nottingham Forest, his contract situation has put West Ham United and co on red alert.
Timber will be a free-agent next summer. German giants Borussia Dortmund have been linked, as well.
Now, while a move to Champions League stalwarts Dortmund will presumably hold plenty of appeal, Dutch reporter Valentijn Driessen is hoping to see 24-year-old Timber follow in the footsteps of his twin brother Jurrien instead.
Valentijn Driessen wants Quinten Timber at West Ham United rather than Borussia Dortmund
Hammers News have been informed that Jurrien Timber, who joined Arsenal from Ajax in 2023, is urging Quinten to join him in England.
And Driessen, speaking on De Telegraaf’s Kick-off podcast, believes that a man with eight senior caps to his name would be better served at a lowly Premier League outfit than one sitting near the top of the Bundesliga summit.
Which position do West Ham need to strengthen the most and why? Who is your dream January signing?
“If possible, he should always go to the Premier League. That’s the best of the best,” Driessen said, arguing that Timber has already made an ‘intermediate step’ and can now cut out the Bundesliga middle man.
“He’s already made an intermediate step, going from FC Utrecht to Feyenoord [in 2022]. If you then go to Germany first and then to England…
“A move to the Premier League, even a mid-table team, is something he should always take.”
Timber under fire after Feyenoord loss calls his Champions League qualities into question
Dutch icon Rafael Van der Vaart called Timber a ‘Champions League-level’ midfielder a few months ago.
Nuno reportedly wants more ‘pace’ in midfield, and Timber would certainly add an extra dash of ball-carrying, box-to-box athleticism.
But, with only two goals and one assist from 15 appearances this term, Driessen feels that Timber is not performing even in the same postcode as the Champions League right now.
“He might earn a great deal, but at which club? That depends on the level he shows next year. If you play like he did against NEC,” he said after watching Robin van Persie’s side go down 4-2 at home to NEC Nijmegen on Sunday, arguing that Timber is no longer the standout performer of the Feyenoord midfield.
What sort of midfielder do you think West Ham NEED to sign?
Does Quinten Timber fit the bill?
“I think he also sees what’s happening around him. He trains with [summer signing Nuno] Valente every day. He manifests himself in such a way that everyone starts saying, ‘Valente is actually better than Timber’.
“Timber was the uncrowned king of midfield, the only Dutch international [at Feyenoord]. Then Valente comes into the Dutch national team and he immediately makes an impression. Those are quality players.
“Maybe Timber thinks, ‘yeah, this guy will quickly surpass me’.”
Graeme Bailey, Hammers News’ chief football correspondent, spelled out a few weeks ago why the Londoners may have an advantage over their suitors based on the continent.
“Quinten Timber is a fascinating option emerging for a number of clubs heading into 2026,” Bailey said. “And West Ham are one of those looking.
“I am told his brother Jurrien is pushing him to come to England, even though he has a number of options around Europe.”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
