Jorrel Hato has had a rough few weeks, with Ajax dramatically choking to hand the Eredivisie title to PSV. But his summer could yet begin on a high note, as Liverpool has been credited with a transfer interest.
Former Anfield captain Jordan Henderson was on the scoresheet on the last day of the season, as Ajax won 2-0 against Twente. But the damage had already been done: a 4-0 defeat to Utrecht began a run that also featured a 1-1 draw with Sparta Rotterdam, a 3-0 home defeat to NEC, and a last-gasp 2-2 draw with the 10 men of Groningen, handing the advantage to PSV ahead of the final day.
Hato – an alternative for Milos Kerkez – featured at left-back for much of this disastrous run, switching to center-back against Groningen. But while this remarkable collapse will sting, it will do little to deter Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, who appear to rate the defender highly.
His versatility is one of the factors that no doubt appeals to the Liverpool hierarchy. Already reaching over 100 senior games for Ajax at the age of just 19, Hato has split his time fairly evenly between left-back and center-back.
Journalist Florian Plettenberg has identified Hato as Liverpool’s backup plan in the event that it cannot agree a fee with Bournemouth for Milos Kerkez. But it has been suggested elsewhere that the Ajax talent might be targeted regardless.
Fabrizio Romano said last year that Arsenal had been tracking Hato, who is considered “one of the best talents in Europe” in his position. Now, he says that the defender is undoubtedly “appreciated” by Liverpool, although the Gunners are also still weighing up a move as well.
With Dean Huijsen having chosen Real Madrid, Liverpool could be looking for alternatives at center-back. Hato could fit that bill as well as the left-back brief.
(Image: ANP via Getty Images)
A new central defender is likely to be on the agenda, especially with the futures of Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez in a degree of doubt. Meanwhile, the club is yet to make a breakthrough with Ibrahima Konate, who is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
And while Huijsen may have been the preference as a central defensive specialist, there’s every reason to think Hato could now be targeted for the heart of the back line. Liverpool has scouted him several times.
He was even at Anfield earlier this season, although it transpired that he was there as a guest of Ryan Gravenberch. The pair are friends from when the midfielder was also at Ajax.
They also play together on the Dutch national team. Hato actually made his debut by replacing Virgil van Dijk, underlining his credentials as a center-back.
Naturally, Arne Slot is familiar with Hato from his own time in the Eredivisie. And while Hughes has been given the reins in terms of recruitment, there is an undeniable Dutch flavor developing at Anfield, with Jeremie Frimpong set to be the latest addition to a camp which already includes Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.
“I was invited [to Anfield] by Ryan Gravenberch but I didn’t speak to a director there,” Hato confirmed after his trip earlier in the season. “Liverpool played well and the atmosphere in the stadium was good, but there is no more to say.”
Whether such conversations have now happened is anybody’s guess. But Liverpool’s interest appears genuine, and Hato could be one to watch — even if a deal for Kerkez gets completed.
