Arsenal and Chelsea have both made recent enquiries for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, according to reports.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that the two London clubs have been in touch to ascertain whether he is interested in moving clubs.
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Hato has been a long-term target for the Gunners, who considered as an option prior to signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, but fans on X are split on whether the teenager should be a priority target this summer:
Bring him. Cover for William Saliba.
— Awan D. ADT97 (@dambi63596) June 11, 2025
Not a priority we just called to chat
— Jackthegooner (@Jack10Gooner) June 11, 2025
Yessss please!
— JoshAFC (@josh_afc) June 11, 2025
Another LB, nice. Arteta will have purchased 12 LB and Gks and 4 Forwards- 2 LW (Trossard and Willian)) 1 ST (Jesus) and 1 RW (Marquinhos). What a disaster.
— Steve Johnson (@SteveJohns47769) June 11, 2025
Let's goooo
— 🥷🏾💜 (@Dekunbiwrld) June 11, 2025
we've needed a striker for at least the past 2 seasons now. Yet we are focusing on defenders, midfielders and back up keepers once again. Arteta and the transfer team behind him have a serious illness
— CJ_AFC (@AFC_jay_0) June 11, 2025
Hato can play in multiple positions
It is believed that manager Mikel Arteta would like to strengthen his options at both centre-back and left-back. With Kieran Tierney having left for Celtic and Oleksandr Zinchenko expected to be sold, there is definitely reason for wanting reinforcements in the latter position.
However, Arteta is also keen on more cover for the likes of Gabriel and William Saliba. It led to the club pursuing a deal for Dean Huijsen prior to his switch to Real Madrid.
The fact that Hato can play in the middle of defence and left-back means Arsenal could kill two birds with one stone.
Arsenal should be devoting resources to forward areas
While Arteta may feel he needs defensive reinforcements, it should be pointed out that, with Calafiori in the squad, he already has a player who could do the job that Hato would be signed for.
With Ajax expected to demand in excess of £40m, you would think that money would be better spent on a striker or a winger.
In other news, we asked AI to predict Benjamin Sesko’s career if he signs for Arsenal