As Chelsea look to strengthen their defence for next season, Ajax’s Jorrel Hato is one player linked with a potential move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Blues head coach Enzo Maresca made many changes to the Chelsea backline throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
Therefore, it’s no great surprise that Chelsea plan to sign a left-sided defender in the upcoming summer transfer window.
It’s been reported that Chelsea are preparing for talks with Ajax about signing Hato as he’s now their priority focus in the transfer market. Apparently, the Dutch giants won’t budge on the defender’s valuation of €50m (£42m) amid interest from the Blues, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United.
What Jorrel Hato said about his future in January
If you rewind less than five months, Ajax youngster Hato made a comment about his future that now looks very interesting.
The teenage defender actually claimed earlier this year that he’s at the right club for his football development. Hato told De Telegraaf in January 2025: “For my development it’s best that I stay at Ajax now.”
So, how much could have really changed since then?
It’s very intriguing to hear Hato explain midway through this season that Ajax are a perfect fit for him, where he’s an established first-team regular.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards | Red cards |
| 50 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 0 |
At the age of 19, Hato has already played 111 senior matches for Ajax. He’s already earned six senior international caps for the Netherlands.
Even though Chelsea led the race to sign Hato in January, it’s clear he was happy staying put in Amsterdam.
Jorrel Hato looked up to current Arsenal star
Hato previously admitted that he idolised Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, 23, when they played together at Ajax.
Hato told The Athletic in September 2024: “Coaches told me that I always needed to look up to Virgil van Dijk, but when I played in the under-18s, I always looked up to Jurrien Timber. I played with him for six months before he left, and I learned so much from him. When I came into the first team, he was my mentor. I love his playing style, his calmness on the ball. And he is just a great defender in defending terms.”
Like Timber, Hato possesses the versatility to play multiple defensive positions. He’s played the majority of the season at left-back, but he can slot in easily at centre-half as well.
