Latest news with #Hato
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool star pictured with transfer target after he's spotted on Anfield visit
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has been making the most of his summer break and his recent link-up with a rumoured Reds transfer target has set tongues wagging Ryan Gravenberch has been snapped with Jorrel Hato during his summer break - just months after the Liverpool transfer target was seen at Anfield taking in a Premier League game. The Reds have been linked to Hato on more than one occasion over the past 12 months in the wake of the impressive defender's emergence at Ajax. That coincided with Hato, 19, attending Liverpool's fixture with Ipswich Town back in January. It was explained at the time, though, that Hato had been invited to the game by Gravenberch rather than travelling over for anything transfer-related. The duo have been out and about again with the domestic season now done, with Gravenberch sharing a picture of them out for food on his Instagram story - and that could spark fresh speculation that Hato is Anfield-bound. While further interest in Hato could materialise now that the summer transfer window is open, Ajax are in a strong bargaining position when it comes to the Netherlands star, who is under contract in Amsterdam until 2028. The player himself has also attempted to cool speculation, saying: "I read it all [the transfer rumours]. 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." While it remains to be seen if Liverpool will try to prise Hato away from Amsterdam, the newly minted Premier League champions are expected to be busy this summer and have already snapped up Jeremie Frimpong from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Reds are also working on a club-record swoop for Frankfurt's sought-after attacking midfielder, Florian Wirtz, after wooing the Germany star in talks. Bayern Munich were the red-hot favourites to sign him. Further incomings are also expected with Milos Kerkez, the Bournemouth left-back, also on the club's summer wishlist. A new No.9 is expected to arrive before the start of the 2025-26 campaign, as well as a number of outgoings. Caoimhin Kelleher is poised to become the first player to head through the exit door; the 26-year-old goalkeeper has agreed to join Brentford in a deal which could end up netting Liverpool £18m.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool has backup in mind despite making contact with Bournemouth for Milos Kerkez
Liverpool is wasting no time in preparing for next season as the club closes in on Jeremie Frimpong, while also advancing with its pursuit of Milos Kerkez. The Reds are adding a new right-back after Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed he is leaving the club at the end of season, and a new left-back is also on the agenda as the club targets a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson. Liverpool scheduled a medical for Frimpong on Monday after agreeing to trigger the $39 million release clause in the player's Bayer Leverkusen contract. READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Man City drops out of Wirtz race, Frimpong medical, Kerkez 'talks' READ MORE: Winger Liverpool sold for bargain price has more goals and assists than Diaz and Jota Frimpong has emerged as one of the best wing-backs in the world in recent years, making his relatively modest release clause appealing to the Reds, particularly considering they are receiving no money at all for Alexander-Arnold. Frimpong primarily played as a wing-back in Xabi Alonso's system, and even played further forward as a right-winger, but he also has plenty of experience at right-back, which is where he will likely be deployed by Arne Slot. On the opposite flank, Kerkez has been fantastic for Bournemouth, and few would argue against him having been the league's best left-back this term. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that Liverpool had contacted Bournemouth about the possibility of signing Kerkez, and that talks were advancing. Kerkez is reportedly keen on the prospect of moving to Anfield, with the club currently thrashing out an agreement on the youngster's personal terms. It sounds as though Liverpool's chances of signing Kerkez are fairly high, but the club also has a back-up option in mind if it does not manage to get a deal for the Hungarian over the line. Sky Germany's Florian Plettenburg says Ajax's teenage defender Jorrel Hato is also on the club's list of possible defensive signings. Hato, 19, established himself as Ajax's first-choice left-back this season but is also comfortable operating as a central defender. Hato was reportedly in attendance for Liverpool's 4-1 victory over Ipswich at Anfield in January. Several eyewitnesses claimed to have seen Hato in the stands, and that was not beyond the realms of possibility considering Ajax did not have a match that weekend. Liverpool's squad has a strong Dutch contingent, with Van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo all key players under head coach Slot, who is also Dutch. Hato addressed speculation surrounding his future during the January transfer window, saying that he had no intention of leaving the club midway through the season, but would not commit his future to Ajax beyond the summer. "I read it all," he said of the transfer speculation, "but I also know that not everything was right. For my development, the best thing is that I stay at Ajax now. "I'm not thinking about leaving Ajax this winter, and I remain with that decision. I want to finish the season with Ajax."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea Are Set To Rival Liverpool For This Eredivisie Full-Back: What Will He Add To Maresca's Side?
Chelsea Are Set To Rival Liverpool For This Eredivisie Full-Back: What Will He Add To Maresca's Side? In a recent segment on Youtube, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Chelsea are set to rival Liverpool for Ajax full-back Jorrel Hato. Romano said, 'Let me start with Jorrel Hato, this talented defender from Ajax. For sure, he's a player on the list of Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League. Advertisement 'So both clubs are monitoring the player, and for sure he's on the list.' Hato's Impressive Rise In Dutch Football This Season Hato has caught the eye at times with his performances on the left side of Ajax's defence this season. The talented teenager has registered three goals and secured six assists in 48 matches for the Dutch outfit during this campaign in various competitions. The 19-year-old has proven his worth on the left flank as he is averaging 1.9 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 1.9 clearances, 0.6 shots and 0.6 key passes per 90 minutes in the Dutch Eredivisie. He has distributed the ball accurately after completing 90.2% of his attempted passes in the top tier of Dutch football (stats via whoscored). Advertisement Hato is under contract at Ajax until the summer of 2028 which could make it difficult for the Blues to sign him on a cut-price deal this off-season. ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – NOVEMBER 19:Jorrel Hato of Netherlands in action during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Netherlands at Bilino Polje stadium on November 19, 2024 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by) What Will Hato Add To Chelsea Boss Enzo Maresca's Team? Hato is a tough-tackling full-back, who can time his challenges well to secure possession back for his team on the defensive end of the field. He usually clears his lines when required and can create the odd chance for his teammates from the left flank. The Dutch defender can even strike the ball well from long range. He is primarily a left-back but can also serve as a central defender if told to do so. Advertisement However, only time will tell whether Hato can make a smooth transition to life in the Premier League. Still, Chelsea would be wise to move in for him this summer. Hato would no doubt add more quality to Enzo Maresca's backline in the long run. He is good enough to help the Blues compete across all fronts in the coming years. Therefore, the West London club should focus on getting a deal done for him in this upcoming transfer period.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano REVEALS how Liverpool plan to replace Dean Huijsen
Liverpool already know how they'll replace Huijsen According to an article from Caught Offside, quoting Fabrizio Romano on his intel about the Reds' intended transfer business, it was revealed that Jorrel Hato is chosen target. Advertisement He said: "Liverpool already left the conversation [for Huijsen] more than 24 hours ago because they understood that the player was giving total priority to Real Madrid. "Jorrel Hato is for sure on the list of Liverpool and Chelsea. Both clubs appreciate the player and have been monitoring him. "It's not an easy negotiation with Ajax, he's a very important player for them, but he's one of the candidates for these two clubs now they are expected to miss on their target Dean Huijsen." Of course, the link to Hato will not be a surprise for Liverpool fans. He has widely been linked the the club for some time, although he was initially in the conversation as a potential left-back recruit. Advertisement The 19-year-old Dutchman is a centre-back by trade, although he has been operating down the left flank a fair bit this season for Ajax, so he is a multi-faceted player who has a number of skills. Him becoming a centre-back priority is unlikely to make a significant difference to Liverpool's plans, given a lot of left-back targets have been linked with the club and Hato would be able to play a couple of different roles if the club is able to get a deal across the line. Likewise, the interest from Chelsea should not be surprising either, as the Blues have been included in many of the reports regarding the player, and so the competition for Hato's signature remains. But Liverpool should have every right to feel confident about getting a deal across the line. He visited Anfield earlier this season to see his friend and former-teammate Ryan Gravenberch and given the Dutch contingent that are already at Liverpool, he would be sure to feel at home over on Merseyside.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano Confirms Liverpool's Interest in Signing ‘Talented' Defender
Liverpool's transfer radar has once again zeroed in on one of Europe's brightest young defenders, with Ajax's Jorrel Hato firmly on their summer wishlist. The 18-year-old, already capped at senior level for the Netherlands, is drawing increasing attention from top Premier League clubs, and Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed Liverpool's interest is very real. Speaking via his YouTube channel, Romano said:'Let me start with Jorrel Hato, this talented defender from Ajax. For sure, he's a player on the list of Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League.''So both clubs are monitoring the player, and for sure he's on the list.' This confirmation follows speculation sparked by Hato's appearance at Anfield earlier this year during Liverpool's 4-1 win over Ipswich Town – a visit initially chalked up to friendly ties with ex-teammate Ryan Gravenberch. But in hindsight, it may have been the start of something more deliberate. With defensive reinforcements high on Liverpool's summer agenda – especially at centre-back and left-back – Hato's positional flexibility offers a compelling solution. He has seamlessly shifted between both roles for Ajax this season, maintaining high standards in both defensive output and build-up play. Ajax academy director Nigel de Jong didn't mince words in his praise, calling Hato:'The most complete defensive product since De Ligt.'This statement is not hyperbole. Hato's metrics reflect an elite-level defensive prospect: Assists per 90: 0.22 (95th percentile) Pass Completion: 89.3% (99th percentile) Clearances: 2.43 (91st percentile) xAG (Expected Assisted Goals): 0.17 (77th percentile) In total, he has contributed 3 goals and 6 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions – exceptional numbers for a defender, especially one still in his teens. As Romano also noted, Chelsea are not far behind in their admiration of the Dutch star. The Blues are tracking the same profile of young, tactically versatile talent. The Reds and Chelsea have clashed repeatedly in the transfer market in recent windows, often chasing similar targets, including Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo. It remains to be seen which club Hato sees as a better fit for his development. Liverpool's recent title triumph under Arne Slot and their more stable project could prove attractive – especially considering Slot's Eredivisie background and potential to fast-track Hato into the starting XI. With Hato reportedly content to wait until the summer before considering a move, all eyes now turn to Liverpool's transfer execution strategy. Ajax have remained firm throughout – refusing to entertain any winter sales – but the summer window presents a fresh landscape. Liverpool's recruitment team have been aggressive yet calculated under their new structure, and Hato fits their model: young, high-ceiling, and tactically flexible. Should the Reds press ahead, it would mark another investment in the future, as well as a strong statement from Slot's newly crowned Premier League champions. There's every reason for Liverpool fans to be excited by this. Jorrel Hato is not just another 'wonderkid' hyped by social media. He's putting up senior-level numbers in one of Europe's most storied development clubs. And with Nigel de Jong comparing him to Matthijs de Ligt – a player Liverpool had previously shown admiration for – it suggests Hato's ceiling is genuinely elite. What's especially encouraging is the versatility. Liverpool struggled in key matches this past season when injuries hit the backline, and having someone who can deputise at left-back and central defence offers priceless cover. Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk are no longer spring chickens – and bringing in a young, adaptable defender is a proactive move. With Arne Slot at the helm, Liverpool's Dutch connection only deepens. If there's anyone who can help Hato adapt quickly to the rigours of the Premier League, it's Slot – who not only understands Dutch football culture but has proven he can deliver instant success at Anfield. Given the options in the market, this feels like the perfect blend of quality, affordability, and long-term planning. And let's not ignore the rivalry with Chelsea – winning this tug-of-war would be satisfying on many levels. In short, this feels like more than just transfer noise. It's got the shape of a smart, strategic play. If the club get it over the line, fans should be delighted.
