Quinten Timber has agreed a move to Marseille after publicly criticising Feyenoord boss Robin van Persie.
Timber – the dual brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien – has been with Feyenoord since 2022, winning the Eredivisie in 2023.
Nevertheless, his time at De Kuip appears to be over after a public spat along with his manager.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Timber has agreed personal terms with the Ligue 1 side and negotiations between the clubs over a fee are at the ultimate stages.
The Netherlands international’s contract expires at the top of the season, so Marseille will probably be trying to snap him up relatively cheaply.
It looks like Timber and Feyenoord is not going to separate on good terms, at the least not the player and manager.
The midfielder was on the bench for the house game against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday, with Van Persie explaining his selection to AD by saying: ‘I take a look at the training sessions, the matches, and the way the players fulfill their roles. Especially their intentions.
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‘I believe there’s loads of room to enhance on certain points. I would like to see an intention in defence and attack to perform your duties well. I judge it based on that, and that’s why I’m selecting others now.’
Timber hit out at his manager after the sport, saying: ‘I believe it’s a shame what the coach said, that it happened this fashion. It’s happened a number of times now that the coach doesn’t protect the player.
‘You possibly can have an opinion, but say it to my face. This was the limit.’
He added: ‘Everyone on the club knows I give every little thing within the match, and I did that today. If I actually have to play at right back, I do it for my team. You possibly can put any player in front of the camera they usually’ll say the identical thing.
‘It seems like a charade. It’s like I’m doing nothing. There’s loads occurring, a whole lot of emotion involved, including the fans who aren’t joyful with me. That’s never fun.
‘It’s at all times been my intention not to go away the club with nothing. I would like to get out. But let’s not pretend I’m not working or doing nothing. Everyone on the club knows it’s different.
‘I find it disappointing that it’s being said like this. It’s not the primary time. I let it go once, let it go twice, but this time I’m standing up for myself.’
Van Persie was asked if he believes Timber has a future at Feyenoord, saying: ‘Should you ask me, no, but I’m not the just one who thinks so. I also think an answer will probably be found.’
It seems that solution has been found, with the Dutchman on the verge of joining Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille.
It was a bruising afternoon for Van Persie and Feyenoord as they were beaten 4-3 at home by Sparta Rotterdam due to a Joshua Kitolano winner in stoppage time.
Defeat leaves Feyenoord second and 12 points adrift of league leaders PSV.
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