Ajax disrupt Arsenal summer plans | OneFootball

Ajax are set to confirm a new deal for Arsenal target Jorrel Hato, making a summer transfer for the defender unlikely.

On Monday, Dutch journalist Mike Verweij reported for De Telegraaf that lawyers for Ajax and Jorrel Hato had given the green light for a new deal lasting until 2028.

Ajax plan to finalise the paperwork before leaving for Birmingham on Wednesday, with the side set to face Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League later this week.

Verweij writes that Hato had attracted the interest of all the top teams in the Premier League, and Arsenal were willing to go the furthest financially.

But Hato and his agent decided it was wiser for the player to stay in the Netherlands for the time being.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the 18-year-old has indeed been scouted by Arsenal, but he’s set to sign that new deal with Ajax.

There will be no release clause in the contract to 2028, so Romano suggests that no movement is expected in Hato’s case this summer.

Instead, a potential move will need to wait until 2025, with Arsenal likely to be in the mix at that stage.

The timing of the reports of this new deal isn’t surprising, as Hato turned 18 just last week. He’s now eligible for a longer contract, and he’s getting one.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein explained in January that Arsenal did like Hato for a winter transfer, but that the player couldn’t move before he was 18.

Arsenal had to wait, which has given Ajax enough time to convince the youngster to stick around.

Hato has made 37 appearances for Ajax this season, racking up close to 3,500 minutes. After a distrastrous start to the campaign, Ajax have rallied to move up to fifth in the Eredivisie table.