Arsenal still "following" one of the best defensive talents in Europe despite apparent contract setback
The 18-year-old is unlikely to come cheap.
Eighteen-year-old centre-back Jorrel Hato could be the next Dutch defender to join Arsenal.
The Gunners - who signed Jurrien Timber last summer and once had the great Giovanni van Bronckhorst among their ranks - have been tracking Hato for months.
Hopes of a summer move for the Rotterdam-born ace appeared to have been dented in March when he signed a new contract at Ajax until June 2028.
However, according to an update from Fabrizio Romano on X.com this week, the Gunners “remain interested” in Hato and “keep following him”.
Romano also described Hato as “one of the best talents in Europe in his position”.
Hato’s contractual situation and stellar reputation mean that Arsenal will likely have to pay a significant transfer fee to prise him away from Amsterdam.
Romano revealed back in March that Hato’s new deal with Ajax did not include a release clause.
Hato was handed his senior debut for Ajax in January 2023 and made 15 first-team appearances last season.
He has since emerged as a key player for the Dutch giants in their 2023/24 campaign, featuring in 45 matches so far.
In December, at the age of 17 years and 282 days, Hato became Ajax’s youngest captain in a European fixture when he led the side to a 3-1 win over AEK Athens in the UEFA Europa League.
Although Hato is now an established starter for Ajax, he would probably not go straight into Arsenal’s first XI were he to move to London this summer.
Thanks in no small part to a fine partnership between Gabriel and William Saliba, the Gunners currently boast the best defensive record in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal have recorded 17 clean sheets in 36 league matches, conceding just 28 goals.
As well as looking to bring in new young talent, Arsenal are keen to secure the long-term future of 16-year-old Chido Obi-Martin.
Romano reported in this morning’s Daily Briefing that the Gunners are in talks with the new representatives of the Danish forward, who has been on the London club’s books since 2022 when he arrived from Kjobenhavns Boldklub.