Yes, all eyes are on Arsenal to finish the season in style, but there are already rumors about the summer transfer window.
Jorrel Hato of Ajax is one of the several high-quality players the Gunners have been linked with.
This season, the 18-year-old has emerged as the Dutch Eredivisie League’s breakout talent. After Frankie de Jong, Jurrien Timber, Cody Gakpo, and many more, he could be the next major Dutch league export.
The young Ajax defender is rising to prominence. Some claim that he is the best version of Gabriel Magalhaes at center back or the best version of Nathan Ake at left back, with a sprinkle of William Saliba swagger. He’s comfortable in the channels, can play with both feet, and is an excellent ball carrier with a long passing range.
Gooners would have expected the club, which has been reportedly scouting him for a while, to push for his deal in the summer. But Fabrizio Romano argues that will be difficult. It will be difficult because Hato and Ajax have agreed on a new contract. That contract will bind him to the Johan Cruyff Arena until 2028, and there will be no release clause.
According to the transfer guru, Hato will depart Ajax as early as next year under the new contract. That’s a transfer setback for Arsenal, making it more difficult to bring the defensive prodigy to North London in the summer.
Romano said on CaughtOffside: “Staying with Arsenal, they have scouted talented young Ajax defender Jorel Hato multiple times, but he’s now set to sign a new contract. The new deal will be valid until June 2028, with no release clause included.
“So, there is no movement expected for Hato this summer, but it could change, especially in 2025, and Arsenal are one of the teams who have sent scouts to monitor him on several occasions.”
Any Gooner who has watched the 18-year-old would argue that Arsenal should do everything they can to sign him, even if it means buying him a year early and loaning him back. But with a new contract, Ajax may only want to sell him at a premium, so it will be interesting to see how Arsenal handles this issue.
Darren N
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If patience is required, so be it as this young player is worth waiting for.
Good hardworking defender, but if he lacks ambition to leave by signing an extension, then why would Arsenal bother chasing a player that shows he wants to stay with his current club by signing an extended contract with them!
Given that he is only 18, I don’t think you can justify your suggestion that he lacks ambition.
Quite a few contract extensions are made purely to increase the wages of youngsters that have improved a lot
We’ve got Jurrien Timber. So no need for him
Timber is not a natural left back, and prior to his move to Arsenal he never played in that position.For Ajax and Holland he was mainly used as a right sided centre back and, on occasion, RB.
Agreed. But I believe we’ve got enough cover at LB…Zinchenko, Tomi, Kiwior and even the aforementioned Timber. So I believe we don’t need this guy except we’re selling someone. And by the way, who is our 3rd choice CB anyway?
When fit, Timber,Tomi and Kwior.We need a natural left back who can defend and make an impression going forward.The trio mentioned above can defend but are limited when attacking, whilst Zinchenko is highly skilled and effective in midfield but simply cannot defend.Hato can defend and attack and being left footed provides balance to the team.