Chelsea Target Ajax’s Jorrel Hato After Defender Asks to Leave

Ajax’s young defender Jorrel Hato wants to move to the Premier League to join Chelsea. The 19-year-old was left out of Ajax’s matchday squad after he informed the club of his desire to leave.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Ajax left Jorrel Hato out of the squad for their latest fixture. This decision was made right after Hato informed club officials he wants to join Chelsea this summer. Hato has been one of Ajax’s standout players over the last two seasons and is seen as a top prospect in Dutch football. Chelsea have already agreed personal terms with Hato and made an official bid, but Ajax rejected the first offer and asked for a higher fee. As reported, Ajax is in talks with Chelsea regarding Jorrel Hato’s transfer, and discussions between the clubs are ongoing as Chelsea tries to strengthen their defense ahead of the new season.

KEY DETAILS BEHIND THE MOVE

Hato has played both as a left-back and centre-back. Last season, he made over 40 appearances in all competitions for Ajax, scoring twice and assisting three times. Despite his efforts, Ajax finished a disappointing 3rd in the Eredivisie, their worst finish in a long time, in a league that is used to seeing them share the top 2 positions with PSV. Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, look to add Hato to their young squad as they aim for a higher league finish after finishing fourth last season. Meanwhile, Ajax is set to lose another important player in a summer of turmoil for the club after a difficult campaign. The club’s management has faced scrutiny, especially with recent protests from fans regarding key decisions made by club executives.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA AND AJAX?

As reported in August, Chelsea have maintained their interest in Hato and are expected to come back with an improved offer as they aim to finalize the deal before their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. Chelsea, having finished fourth last season but having won the Conference League and the Club World Cup, hopes to challenge for the title this term with a strong and quick start. Ajax, meanwhile, will have to quickly find a replacement for Hato if he completes a move to west London. Ajax will not be participating in European competitions this season, intensifying the pressure on the management to gain back the support of their fans quickly. Their next outing is expected to be a challenging match against Sparta Rotterdam.