Chelsea are reportedly now giving ‘serious consideration’ to a move for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato as they seek to beat two Premier League rivals to the Dutchman’s signature.
The 19-year-old is the latest gem to emerge from the famed Amsterdam academy and has already made 108 appearances for Ajax in all tournaments, coming up with four goals and nine assists.
Hato’s rapid rise to fame saw Ajax move quickly to tie him to a new contract last year, and the 2006-born protege is not due to become a free agent until the summer of 2028.
Hato has continued to go from strength to strength this season with three goals and six assists from 47 games in all tournaments, now occupying a left-back role after previously dabbling in a central spot.
Despite managing to secure Hato’s future last year, Ajax will be under no illusions that they will struggle to keep hold of the 19-year-old amid interest from Europe’s superpowers if he keeps performing in the same vein.
Chelsea ‘watching Hato closely’ ahead of possible summer move
One of those interested parties is said to be Chelsea, who are now ‘seriously considering’ an approach for Hato when the summer window opens, according to reporter Kaveh Solhekol.
The Blues have supposedly been keeping a close eye on the Netherlands international for some time, and Hato has plenty of ‘admirers’ within the Stamford Bridge ranks.
However, Chelsea may have to fend off the attention of Liverpool and Arsenal to strike a deal for Hato, who was also linked with a blockbuster move to Real Madrid in a separate report.
Hato made his senior debut for the Netherlands at just 17 years old – providing an assist in that 6-0 win over Gibraltar – and he now boasts six caps for his national team.
The Ajax protege started at left-back in the first leg of Oranje’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final with Spain, although he was sent off in the second half and subsequently missed his nation’s penalty-shootout defeat in the second leg.
Hato’s transfer options assessed as one club stands out
Chelsea are seriously considering making a move to sign Jorrel Hato from Ajax this summer. Central defender who can also play as a left back. Chelsea’s interest is longstanding. He is a player they admire and he’s being watched closely. Has been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal.
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) May 2, 2025
Whether it be the Premier League or La Liga, moving to one of Europe’s big five divisions is a significant jump for a teenage player, one that not every embryonic talent might be able to handle at such a tender age.
However, the fact that Hato is also now an established senior international suggests that he would do just fine, and moreover could pursue a move to a club with good game-time prospects.
The 19-year-old may not get that at Arsenal while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori vie for left-back minutes, although he would be an exciting backup to Marc Cucurella at Chelsea.
Do not be surprised to see Liverpool’s interest kick up a notch either, though, as Andy Robertson‘s defensive decline in 2024-25 has been evident, while Kostas Tsimikas is a perpetual backup.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez appears to be at the top of the Reds’ left-back list, but if a move for the Hungarian falls through, Hato would not be a half-bad alternative.
