Arsenal are now ready to make a move for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato following the exit of Kieran Tierney this summer.
Mikel Arteta is expected to oversee significant changes to his Arsenal back line this summer.
Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko could both follow Tierney out of the Emirates, explaining why new sporting director Andrea Berta will also be chasing a defender.
Arsenal want to keep Kiwior, but the defender has long made it clear that he would like to return to Italy, explaining why the Gunners have never dropped their interest in Jorrel Hato.
The 19-year-old initially came through as a centre-back for Ajax before recently making the left-back role his own, a versatile defender who fits Arteta’s plans perfectly.
Arsenal ready to bid for Jorrel Hato after successful talks
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that both Arsenal and Chelsea have now held talks about a summer deal for Hato.
Arsenal themselves have been following Hato’s progress for some time and the defender has been of huge interest to the Gunners since he was 15 years old.
Jorrel Hato before the Netherlands U21 side played the Moldova U21 side.
Photo by Peter Lous/Orange Pictures
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Arteta’s side considered a move for the £40m-rated Netherlands U21 international last summer but instead chose to strike a deal for Riccardo Calafiori, who was in hot demand at the time.
Of course, since last summer, Arsenal have seen the rise of Myles Lewis-Skelly on the left, but the prospect of Kiwior and Zinchenko following Tierney out of the club means the Gunners still want Hato.
However, Chelsea are also showing major interest in Hato as they look at left-sided options themselves.
Chelsea have used Reece James and Malo Gusto on the left to back up Marc Cucurella, but the Blues want Hato to come in as another option, given that he can also play centrally too.
Hato thinks Arsenal are the ‘perfect’ next step
TBR Football previously reported that Liverpool were keen on Hato too, and that still is the case.
However, Liverpool’s interest is not as advanced at this point, even if Arne Slot’s side can’t be entirely ruled out.
But on his part, Hato believes Arsenal to be the near perfect destination for this next step, a 19-year-old who has already made 111 appearances for Ajax’s senior side.
But in a sensible move, Hato’s camp are keen to keep the race for the defender open and have insisted to Chelsea and Liverpool that nothing is decided — he is still more than open to playing for any of the clubs mentioned.
Of course, it should be noted that Hato is playing at the U21 Championships with the Netherlands right now and his performances might suddenly be a lot more interesting to Arsenal fans in particular.