Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal believes Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is good enough to play in the Premier League amid interest from Manchester United.
The 20-year-old was a first-team regular for the Eredivisie champions during the 2021-22 campaign, featuring in 43 games across all competitions.
Timber has since been linked with a move to Man United and a reunion with Erik ten Hag, who has now left Ajax to take the reins at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal, who was in charge of the Red Devils between 2014 and 2016, believes Timber has the "quality" to play in the English top flight, but feels that he needs to be assured of regular first-team football should he decide to leave Ajax this summer.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Netherlands' Nations League clash with Wales, Van Gaal said: "I think a player of [Timber's] quality can play in the Premier League. That is not a problem.
"If he has to make this big step now, that's the question. "(If he does not play) then he is not so wise, I think. He has to play."
Timber, who is set to play for the national team in Cardiff on Wednesday, recently revealed that his "gut feeling" will be key when deciding where his future lies this summer.
The defender, who could be available for around £36m, is under contract with Ajax until June 2024.
Oliver Thomas
