Latest news with #EredivisieTalentoftheSeason
Metro
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Chelsea agree deal to sign Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target
Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Ajax full-back Jorrel Hato, according to reports. The Blues have set out their stall in the summer transfer market, completing deals for Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr for a combined fee of around £190million. But the Europa Conference League winners are determined to further bolster Enzo Maresca's first-team squad before the deadline and attentions have turned to bringing in defensive reinforcements. Reports emanating out of the Netherlands earlier this summer claimed Hato's camp had held initial discussions over a proposed transfer move to Stamford Bridge. Arsenal and Liverpool have also been credited with a strong interest in Horrel, 19, who was last season named the Eredivisie Talent of the Season. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. But the versatile Dutchman, who can play at left-back and centre-half, was said to have been perceptive to Chelsea's advances and talks have been advancing at a pace in recent weeks. According to Fabrizio Romano, Horrel has now asked Ajax to leave and informed the Eredivise outfit of his desire to join Chelsea having agreed personal terms with the Blues. It's claimed negotiations over a possible fee of €40million (£35m) are now in their 'final stages'. Just hours earlier, Romano reported that Chelsea were firmly in the driving seat to wrap up an agreement for the highly rated teenager, as well as RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons. Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Wednesday, Hato's agent, Humphry Nijman, said: 'Yes, the club [Chelsea] have contacted Ajax.' Hato made 50 appearances in all competitions last season and played a key role as Ajax narrowly missed out on the Eredivisie title after finishing just one point behind PSV Eindhoven. The youngster's current contract in Amsterdam runs through to June 2028. In a wide-ranging interview with Ajax's official website last month, Hato opened up on the goals and ambitions he hoped to fulfil in his career. At the time, the defender was keen to stress that he felt at 'home' at Ajax. More Trending He said: 'The smartest thing is to look ahead to pre-season, that's what I do. 'Of course you want to achieve things in the end: the Champions League, a World Cup and a European Championship, I still have plenty of time. I don't think I absolutely have to win the Champions League in two years. 'In the Dutch league, you have to show how good you are against the big clubs. Ultimately, I have to continue to develop the things I am already good at, so that it becomes top. 'How do I describe my time at Ajax? Ajax is home for me. I just feel at home here.' MORE: Liverpool announce Hugo Ekitike signing from Eintracht Frankfurt MORE: Gary Lineker makes Marcus Rashford prediction after Man Utd forward joins Barcelona MORE: Jose Mourinho dismisses Chelsea win at Club World Cup
Metro
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Chelsea learn price after 'fresh talks' to sign Arsenal & Liverpool target
Chelsea have discovered what it would take to sign Jorrel Hato after opening fresh talks to sign the young Ajax defender. The Blues have set out their stall in the summer transfer market, bringing in Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr for a combined fee of around £190million. But Stamford Bridge bosses are determined to further strengthen Enzo Maresca's squad and attentions have turned to bringing in defensive reinforcements, as well as a high-class replacement for the error-prone Robert Sanchez. Widespread reports earlier this summer suggested Chelsea had made initial enquiries to gauge Hato's potential availability on the back of the left-back's outstanding season with Ajax. Hato – a product of Ajax's academy – made 50 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club last term and the 19-year-old's stellar performances across the campaign saw him win the Eredivisie Talent of the Season award. Premier League giants Liverpool and Arsenal have also been credited with a strong interest in the highly rated teenager, who has already been capped six times the Dutch national team. According to talkSPORT, Chelsea have held fresh discussions since their initial round of talks and Hato's versatility is said to be hugely appealing to the Club World Cup winners – with the full-back also comfortable playing at centre-half. The report claims Ajax have been quoting potential suitors a price of £60million for Hato, but the Eredivisie outfit could be prepared to do business should they receive an offer of just £40m. Hato's current contract with Ajax runs through to June 2028. In an interview with Ajax's official website last month, Hato opened up on the goals and ambitions he wanted to achieve in his career. However, the youngster was keen to stress that he still had plenty to learn, while declaring that Ajax still felt like 'home'. 'The smartest thing is to look ahead to pre-season, that's what I do,' he said. 'Of course you want to achieve things in the end: the Champions League, a World Cup and a European Championship, I still have plenty of time. I don't think I absolutely have to win the Champions League in two years. 'In the Dutch league, you have to show how good you are against the big clubs. Ultimately, I have to continue to develop the things I am already good at, so that it becomes top. 'How do I describe my time at Ajax? Ajax is home for me. I just feel at home here.'
