Ajax Are Reportedly In The Process Of Negotiating A Fresh Contract For Jorrel Hato, Who Has Been Linked With A Move To Arsenal

Ajax Are Reportedly In The Process Of Negotiating A Fresh Contract For Jorrel Hato, Who Has Been Linked With A Move To Arsenal

Ajax are reportedly aiming to ward off interest in Jorrel Hato, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, by securing the 17-year-old to a new contract in Amsterdam. Despite his young age, Hato has become a regular starter for Ajax in most matches.

Having joined the Ajax youth setup in 2018, Hato quickly progressed through the ranks due to his considerable potential. He has already amassed 49 appearances for the senior squad across all competitions.

During his time on the pitch, Hato has contributed one goal and three assists, with one goal and two assists coming in the current Eredivisie season, where he has featured in all 23 matches.

Notably, Hato played every minute of Ajax’s Europa League group stage matches and has even captained the team on three occasions under manager John van ‘t Schip, including in their recent 2-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar.

Hato holds the distinction of being Ajax’s youngest-ever captain, and the Dutch talent, already towering at 6 feet tall, made an impact on his Netherlands debut by providing an assist in a 6-0 victory over Gibraltar during Euro 2024 qualifying last November.

While primarily deployed as a centre-back, Hato is equally adept on the left side of defense, drawing attention from top European clubs, notably Premier League contenders Arsenal.

With Hato’s contract expiring in 2025, Ajax may face pressure to sell him in the summer if new terms are not agreed upon soon. However, according to reports from the Evening Standard, Ajax is actively seeking to extend the contract of their promising academy graduate, likely offering him a salary increase to reflect his growing importance to the team.

Aware of Arsenal’s interest and potential bids from other suitors, Ajax remains hopeful that Hato can be persuaded to continue his development with the club for the foreseeable future.

If Arsenal’s pursuit of Hato proves fruitful, the Dutch talent may emulate compatriot Jurrien Timber, who made the move from Amsterdam to Arsenal last summer in a deal potentially worth up to £38.5m.

Expressing his aspirations to join Arsenal or a club of similar stature in the future, Hato stated to ELF Voetbal in October, “Unfortunately, he [Timber] was seriously injured in his first Premier League game for Arsenal, but he is still young and has a bright future ahead of him. In any case, the move to Arsenal was a wonderful one for him. It is also my dream to one day make such a transfer, but I realise that I still have a very long way to go.”

Timber clinched the Community Shield in his competitive debut for Arsenal. However, he endured a devastating cruciate ligament injury less than an hour into his first Premier League appearance against Nottingham Forest.

Despite the setback, Timber has been making significant progress in his recovery over the past six months, and Mikel Arteta remains optimistic about his return to action before the season concludes.