Andrea Berta - Arsenal - Chelsea
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have been one of the busiest European clubs in the transfer market this summer. The club has reportedly splashed more than £190 million on new signings this summer, with a few more big names expected to join the London-based club before the beginning of the 2025/26 season.
The club, at the same time, has lost one of their top summer targets, whom Mikel Arteta admired so much, to cross-town rivals Chelsea.
Top sports journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed that Arsenal are understandably disappointed after missing out on one of their top defensive targets, Jorrel Hato, who has signed a seven-year contract with Chelsea.
The Gunners had been keen to repeat their successful move for Jurrien Timber in 2023 by raiding Ajax again, but Chelsea’s swift action and attractive offer have left them frustrated.
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According to reports, Arsenal had long admired Hato and were ready to move, but their plans were contingent on offloading Oleksandr Zinchenko.
However, Chelsea acted faster, offering a seven-year contract with a structure of lower base wages and heavy performance incentives, aligning with their youth-first transfer model.
Chief correspondent Graeme Bailey of TBR Football revealed while on punditry duty recently that Arsenal are disappointed, having been confident that Hato would develop into a top-class European defender.
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“It’s just one of those transfer situations that’s fallen the wrong way for Arsenal,” Bailey said. “With Timber, they weren’t favourites but got it done. This time, they just couldn’t act quickly enough.” Interestingly, both Chelsea and Arsenal saw Hato filling different tactical needs.
Jorrel Hato
Jorrel Hato (Image credit: Getty Images)
Chelsea view Hato primarily as a left-back in Enzo Maresca’s system, while Arsenal considered him a hybrid option, capable of covering both central and wide defensive roles.
Hato has operated in both positions at Ajax, although he’s been used more frequently as a left-back in recent seasons.
Arsenal, who still want to add a few names to their squad depth, may now return to securing defensive depth elsewhere, particularly if Zinchenko or Jakub Kiwior are moved before the window closes. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta must revisit alternative options, especially with multiple competitions on the horizon.
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