Chelsea Launch Bid for Star Player Coveted by Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid

Chelsea have initiated discussions with Ajax concerning a potential transfer for their highly coveted defender Jorrel Hato, according to recent reports.

The Dutch left-back relocated from Rotterdam to Amsterdam at the tender age of 12 to develop within Ajax's renowned youth academy. In the previous year, the Amsterdam club secured their promising academy product with a contract extending through 2028, though transfer speculation surrounding Hato continues to intensify.

The newly crowned Club World Cup winners are the most recent team linked with interest in a player who has previously attracted attention from Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid. The Athletic reports that Chelsea have "submitted an inquiry" regarding a summer move for the 19-year-old.

Chelsea's squad composition is severely imbalanced. Enzo Maresca presently manages nine centre-backs in his roster—most of whom have no intention of departing—yet could only rely on Marc Cucurella as the single senior left-back choice throughout the summer's successful Club World Cup run.

With Ben Chilwell anticipated to leave, Hato would provide a young—and importantly, coveted—source of rivalry on the left flank of the defense.

Hato remains a teenager until March but has already accumulated over one hundred appearances for Ajax. The exceptional talent has yet to secure a single senior honor after emerging into the first team during a challenging period for the Dutch powerhouse, though he perceives this adversity as an advantage.

"I'm aware of players who break into the first team at 17 or 18 and feature in an Ajax squad that dominated domestically and progressed deep in European competition," he commented last season. "My circumstances are different. I carry greater responsibility than those players. So it's distinct, and challenging, but I'm handling it effectively."

Hato has already earned six appearances for the senior Netherlands national squad, playing alongside Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. However, it is an Arsenal player whom he has selected as his inspiration. "Coaches instructed me that I should always aspire to be like Virgil van Dijk, but during my under-18 days, I consistently admired Jurrien Timber," Hato shared with The Athletic.

"I trained alongside him for half a year before his departure, and I absorbed tremendous knowledge from him. Upon joining the first team, he became my guide. I admire his playing approach, his composure with possession. And he is simply an excellent defender in all defensive aspects."

Should Chelsea successfully convince Ajax to release their defensive talent, Hato might find himself competing against Timber and Van Dijk in the upcoming Premier League season.