SportsView
·15. Juli 2025
Chelsea enter talks to sign Ajax defender Jorrel Hato

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsSportsView
·15. Juli 2025
Chelsea are stepping up efforts to sign Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Blues want to further bolster their backline before the start of the new season and have set their sights on the highly rated teenager.
Loaning Renato Veiga to Juventus last summer left Chelsea light on options at left-back.
Enzo Maresca has utilised Josh Acheampong, Malo Gusto and Reece James in that role, but Marc Cucurella did most of the heavy lifting.
The 26-year-old left-back was a staple of the Chelsea backline last season, featuring 54 times across all competitions. He did well to return seven goals and four assists.
However, the Blues are keen to reduce his workload as they prepare for Champions League football next season and have set their sights on Hato as a quality option.
The 19-year-old came through Ajax’s academy before establishing himself in the first team and is now considered one of the brightest young defenders on the continent.
Hato made 50 appearances for Ajax last season, notching three goals and six assists.
He played 31 times in the Dutch top flight, bagging two goals and six assists. He also created six big chances, but his underlying numbers were far more eye-catching.
The teenager helped to keep 11 clean sheets and averaged 1.9 tackles, 4.2 ball recoveries and two clearances per 90 minutes.
The versatile defender demonstrated solidity in 1v1 battles, winning 51 percent of his ground duels, and was also impressive in the air with a 58% success rate.
Hato’s performances haven’t gone under the radar. Arsenal and Liverpool have been linked with him, but Chelsea are the latest on the scene.
The Blues inquired about his availability earlier this summer and have now followed up their interest with fresh talks. Hato doesn’t have a release clause in his contract, which runs until 2028.
But he wouldn’t come cheap. Ajax have set a £60 million asking price for the Netherlands international, but Chelsea are hoping they’ll be able to close a deal for around £40m.