Chelsea Football Club have reportedly opened talks with Ajax to sign one of its defenders Jorrel Hato ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The Blues are looking to strengthen their squad after they defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Club World Cup to be crowned Champions. If the Blues can seal a deal for Jorrel Hato, he will be a huge addition to the squad and also give Enzo Maresca depth.
Here are five things you need to know about Jorrel Hato
Jorrel Hato is one of the most talked-about young talents in European football. At 19, he has broken into the first team for Ajax and is a rising star for the Netherlands.
(1) He’s Already a First-Team Regular at Ajax
Jorrel Hato isn’t just an academy product but a first-team player since making his senior debut in 2023 at just 16 years old. He has played over 100 senior matches for Ajax across all competitions. In the 2024–25 season alone, he made 50 appearances and even wore the captain’s armband in a European match at just 17, becoming the youngest Ajax captain in Europe.
(2) He is a versatile player
He plays most of the time as a centre-back, but can also play comfortably at left-back, giving his team tactical flexibility. He’s a left-footed defender known for his calmness under pressure, ball distribution, and ability to read the game accurately.
(3) He is a senior player for the Dutch team
Hato made his senior debut for the Netherlands on November 21, 2023, in a Euro qualifier against Gibraltar. Since then, he has earned multiple caps and is being viewed as a long-term option for the national team’s defense and also create a good partnership with Virgil van Dijk.
(4) He is on the radar of top Premier League clubs
Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea have all expressed their desire to sign Hato. The Blues Chelsea are in advanced discussions with Ajax, with reports suggesting a potential transfer fee in the region of €40–60 million despite his current contract expiring in 2028.
(5) Award recognition
Hato won Ajax’s Abdelhak Nouri Trophy, awarded to the club’s best youth talent. He followed that up with the Eredivisie Talent of the Year in 2025, a recognition of his rapid rise and standout performances. Analysts and coaches alike hail him as one of the best defenders of his age group in Europe.
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