Arsenal are still considering a move for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato despite bolstering their defence with the addition of Riccardo Calafiori last summer, TBR Football can reveal.
Mikel Arteta’s side are set for a busy summer once new sporting director Andrea Berta arrives at Arsenal – the man tasked with delivering several signings.
Of course, it’ll also be a case of who Arsenal are able to offload, a bloated squad won’t help anyone at the Emirates Stadium.
Berta is interested in signing Matheus Cunha once he arrives, a striker he previously signed for Atletico Madrid before he made his way to England.
But in terms of Arsenal’s admiration for Hato, that existed even under Edu Gaspar’s guidance.
Arsenal haven’t ended their interest in Ajax defender Jorrel Hato
Graeme Bailey – TBR football chief correspondent, understands that Arsenal are still really keen on Hato, even with the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.
It’s already agreed that Kieran Tierney will return to Celtic in the summer, a full-back who’s even been helping at left-wing for Arteta of late.
READ MORE: Andrea Berta immediately targeting contract renewals for three key players at Arsenal
And in addition to Tierney, Jakub Kiwior could also leave Arsenal.
Clubs are also interested in Oleksandr Zinchenko and all considered, the Gunners might even end up a little light on the left-side of their defence should they not act.
Liverpool are also interested in Hato, but Arsenal have been following the 19-year-old Dutchman for over two years now, a talent who’s already earned five caps for his country.
Jorrel Hato has changed position at Ajax
Ever since he broke through to Ajax’s first team, Hato has been able to play in more than one position.
Although, the left-footer predominantly emerged as a centre-back, the position he will have often been watched in by Arsenal when they first showed interest.
Fast-forward to now and Hato is now regularly appearing for the famous Dutch side as a left-back – he’s even played as wing-back on occasion this season which has really impressed Arsenal.
It would therefore seem as if the youngster could offer a similar positional profile to Calafiori at the club, were Arsenal’s long-standing interest to result in a move.
And that’s something that can’t be ruled out – Arsenal are still huge fans of the defender heading into the summer.
Incidentally, Hato’s former teammate Jurrien Timber hailed the defender as a ‘special talent’ recently after reaching 100 appearances for his former club.
Hato admitted that Timber was a ‘mentor’ for him, perhaps leading some to hope that he might follow a similar path to north London.
In terms of the defender’s price, Hato has been valued at £40m in the past, but it remains to be seen how much Ajax would demand for such a big talent.
