Chelsea would like to sign a new left back to challenge Marc Cucurella and has opened conversations with Ajax to sign the 19-year-old star Jorrel Hato, who was out of their match on Sunday
Jorrel Hato asked to be left from Ajax's friendly against Como during the weekend because he is in negotiations to become a member of Chelsea. Hato was watched by a number of Premier League parties this summer after he has drawn the attention of scouts and is Chelsea in pole position to sign him.
The 19-year-old defender, who can play in the middle of the back and left back, has already made 111 performances for the Dutch giants. He has three years left on his contract with Ajax, but it now seems likely that he will leave this summer.
Liverpool and Arsenal are both credited with interest in the younger whose versatility and experience make him an attractive prospect. Ajax is brace for his exit after Hato made it clear to make coach John Heitinga that he would not play against on Sunday.
According to the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, who reports that negotiations with Chelsea remain 'difficult' despite the wishes of the player to leave. Ajax is supposed to seek a fee between € 55-60 million (£ 48 million £ 52.5 million) for HATO, while Chelsea strives for a figure closer to £ 40 million.
Hato has now missed two consecutive pre-season matches for Ajax, after he had also been against Celtic from the previous match. Heitinga had claimed that his first absence was due to a lack of matchfitness, but it is clear that there is more going on.
Chelsea wants a left back to challenge Marc Cucurella, with Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga and Ishe Samuels-Smith who all leave this summer. They opened the negotiations for the Talent of 2024/25 Eredivisie of the season last week and hope this week in progress.
'Yes, the club [Chelsea] contacted Ajax, “Hato's agent Humphry Nijman told De Telegraaf on Wednesday.
Hato seems to have changed his tune in the past month, after he had previously been declared 'home' in Amsterdam. He played 50 times last season when Ajax just briefly came to Rivals PSV Eindhoven in the competition and seemed determined to step on.
“The smartest thing is to look ahead to the preseason, that's what I do,” Hato told the club website. “Ultimately, you eventually want to achieve things: the Champions League, a World Cup and a European Championship, I still have enough time. I don't think I should definitely win the Champions League in two years.
“In the Dutch league you have to show how good you are against the big clubs. In the end I have to continue to develop the things that I am already good at, so that it will be great. How do I describe my time at Ajax? Ajax is at home for me. I just feel at home.”