Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool (Image: James Marsh/REX/Shutterstock)
Arsenal have joined the race for Jorrel Hato according to TEAMtalk. It has been reported that Liverpool have shown interest in the Ajax star, who has established himself as one of the best young defenders in the Eredivisie.
Back in January, there were rumours that the club were considering a bid for the defender in the winter transfer window amid uncertainty over Virgil van Dijk's future. The Dutch centre-back is yet to agree a new deal at Anfield.
Hato has recently been spotted at Anfield to watch Liverpool take on Ipswich Town after being invited to the game by Ryan Gravenberch. Liverpool have been sending scouts to watch the 19-year-old while Chelsea have been monitoring his progress throughout the campaign.
Previously speaking about his future, Hato said: "But I also know that not everything was right. For my development it's best that I stay at Ajax now. I was invited by Ryan Gravenberch. But I didn't speak to a director there. Liverpool played well and the atmosphere in the stadium was good, but there is no more to say."
Elsewhere, Italian outlet Gonfialarete.com report Lazio are the latest club to set their eyes on Federico Chiesa. The report claims that Liverpool would be 'prepared' to loan him out and 'include' an option to buy for a fee of €15million (£12.5m).
Chiesa has made only 11 appearances for Liverpool since his £10m move from Juventus last summer, but only three have come in the Premier League while he has also only started three times. However, a potential stumbling block for Lazio could be meeting his salary demands, with the Italian reportedly on an annual salary of £5.8m (€7m).
Italy manager Luciano Spaletti had previously urged Chiesa to return to Serie A towards the end of the January transfer window, though the player’s agent had already insisted he would stay put at Liverpool.