Napoli eye Quinten Timber: all-round midfielder with 21 goals | OneFootball

Born in 2001, trained at Ajax, leader of Feyenoord, and a regular for the Netherlands: a complete profile of Quinten Timber. An ideal candidate, but more suited to the summer transfer market than to January.

Napoli, discover who Quinten Timber is: the all-round midfielder with 21 goals who also intrigues Juventus

The name Quinten Timber is once again appearing persistently on the radar of Napoli and, at the same time, Juventus. Already scouted last November, the Dutch midfielder is considered one of the most interesting prospects in Europe, especially for those looking for a versatile, modern player with impressive offensive numbers. However, his contract situation and the needs of the Italian clubs make the deal more complicated in the January 2026 transfer window.

Who is Quinten Timber: profile of a modern midfielder

Born in 2001, Quinten Timber perfectly embodies the concept of a “complete” midfielder. Raised in Ajax’s youth academy, he completed his development first at Utrecht and then at Feyenoord, who signed him in 2022 for 8.5 million euros.

Timber started as a central midfielder, but his tactical evolution has turned him into a true midfield wildcard. He can play as a mezzala, a dynamic holding midfielder, or an attacking midfielder, thanks to a combination of technique, vision, and off-the-ball movement. A profile that fits perfectly into the fluid and intense systems of modern football.

Stats and performance: a box-to-box threat

The numbers tell Timber’s value better than any definition. In four seasons at Feyenoord, he has collected:

123 official appearances

21 goals

16 assists

Numbers more typical of an attacking midfielder than a simple central one, further enhanced by an already significant trophy cabinet: Eredivisie, Dutch Cup, and Dutch Super Cup. In March 2024, he also made his debut for the Dutch national team, with whom he has already earned 8 caps and scored 1 goal, quickly becoming a regular member of the squad.

Why Napoli likes him

Napoli is following Timber for very specific reasons. Antonio Conte is looking for complete midfielders, capable of combining intensity, quality, and an offensive presence. In this sense, the Dutchman is an ideal profile: he can cover multiple roles, raise the technical level of the midfield, and guarantee goals from late runs—an increasingly sought-after trait at the top level of football.

However, there is a significant obstacle: Timber’s contract expires on June 30, 2026. This detail, rather than facilitating an immediate deal, complicates things in the short term, especially for a Napoli side needing to operate on a zero-balance in the winter market.

Juventus watching, but with other priorities

Juventus has also been monitoring Timber, but with a different approach. The Bianconeri seem more oriented towards profiles closer to a pure playmaker role, with more experience in the top 5 European leagues. Timber is appreciated, but he is not an absolute priority for January, especially in a transfer window that is traditionally short on structural deals.

January or summer? Timing is everything

And it is precisely timing that makes the difference. Signing Timber in January would mean investing immediate resources for a player who could become available on more favorable terms just a few months later. For this reason, both Napoli and Juventus see the Dutchman as a summer market opportunity, when economic and strategic margins will be wider.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.