AJAX SET £60M PRICE TAG AS CHELSEA LAUNCH OFFICIAL APPROACH FOR COVETED DEFENDER HATO
Chelsea have stepped up their summer transfer plans by entering talks with Ajax for highly rated defender Jorrel Hato, who is valued at around £60 million. The Blues are now pushing to beat Liverpool and several other top European clubs in the race for the 18-year-old Dutch sensation.
Hato has been one of the few bright spots in a turbulent season for Ajax and is widely regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe. Comfortable playing as both a centre-back and left-back, his composure on the ball, positional intelligence, and maturity beyond his years have made him a priority target for clubs looking to invest in long-term defensive reinforcements.
Chelsea’s recruitment team is believed to be particularly impressed by Hato’s versatility and leadership qualities—he captained Ajax on several occasions despite his age—and see him as a perfect fit for the club’s youth-driven project at Stamford Bridge.
The talks with Ajax are at an early stage, but Chelsea are reportedly prepared to meet the Dutch club’s valuation or explore a structured deal with performance-related add-ons. With new head coach Enzo Maresca focused on tightening up the defence ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, Hato is seen as a crucial target.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are also in the frame, having monitored Hato’s development closely. The Merseyside club view him as a potential long-term replacement for the ageing core of their backline and are expected to challenge Chelsea if the Dutchman becomes available.
Hato has yet to make a decision on his future and is currently focused on pre-season preparations with Ajax. However, with interest intensifying and bids potentially imminent, a Premier League move could be on the horizon.
Should Chelsea succeed, it would mark another significant statement of intent from the London side as they continue building a new-era squad packed with young, high-ceiling talent.
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