According to Caught Offside, Chelsea have opened negotiations with Ajax to explore a move for Jorrel Hato. The Left-sided defender has come in for high demand in the Premier League, with Liverpool one of those keen, as he could potentially choose a switch to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Jorrel Hato could be the next top defender to leave Ajax and make his mark elsewhere. The left-sided defender who started as a centre-back has now excelled in the left-back role. He has played the majority of his games in that position this season, with two goals and six assists in the Eredivisie.
Hato is widely expected to sign for a Premier League club in the summer, with many of the top sides there showing big interest. Arsenal were keen for a long time, until the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly, with the academy star now their starting left-back under Mikel Arteta.
Liverpool have held an interest, but their chase of Milos Kerkez could see them bow out of the race for Hato ahead of the coming period. The Merseysiders had been looking for a top-draw left-back, although they might have seen Hato as a central defender too, as they do lack quality in the middle.
Liverpool and Chelsea were ready to step up their chase of the defender, although the Blues are now seen as the frontrunners for the Ajax sensation. The Dutch side reportedly want around €55 million for the left-sided defender, as Chelsea are now pushing to get a deal done.
Chelsea have held a strong interest in Hato, and now, they have opened talks with Ajax to explore a move for the €55 million-rated Dutch sensation. The Blues could be willing to pay what’s necessary to land the defender, who could play different roles in Enzo Maresca’s system than solely being a left-back.
Chelsea currently have Marc Cucurella as their starting left-back, with the Spaniard viewed as a key member of Maresca’s side in the current scenario. Hence, someone like Hato might come in as a competitor for the Euro 2024 winner, although the €55 million-rated Dutch sensation can also play centre-back, so he can challenge Levi Colwill for a place in the team.
With Chelsea anticipating Champions League football next season, they are eager to bring better quality players into the squad, as Hato certainly fits that criteria. It remains to be seen whether the Dutchman takes up the project, as he might have preferred a team where he is guaranteed to start every game.
