Jorrel Hato close to signing new Ajax contract amid Arsenal links
Fabrizio Romano on Caught Offside claims Jorrel Hato is close to signing a new contract with Ajax in the near future. The decision could be a setback for Arsenal, who had been interested in the 17-year-old, but they may still have a chance.
Jorrel Hato has emerged as the Ajax academy’s next diamond, having made the move up to the first team this season. The 17-year-old has been a consistent performer for Amsterdam, appearing in 32 games over all seasons, 22 of which have come in the Eredivisie.
Overall, the adolescent appears to be a prospective star for the present and future, and Ajax may believe he can continue to develop his game in Amsterdam. As a result, they have been adamant on extending his stay, with his current contract slated to expire in 2025.
During the summer, he would enter the final year of his contract, posing a significant danger to both Ajax and the 17-year-old’s future sale value. However, Fabrizio Romano has stated that Hato is close to signing a new contract with the club, which may be a long-term deal.
The revelation may come as a disappointment to some of the clubs keeping a close eye on the teenager’s status, notably Arsenal. Romano acknowledged that the Gunners were interested in Hato and had scouted him on several times, but his decision to sign a new contract may put an end to their pursuit of the defender.
Romano went on to say, “I’ve mentioned interest from Arsenal in Jorrel Hato multiple times because they’ve been scouting him for months, but it’s also the same for other European top clubs.”
“Hato is also set to sign a new deal at Ajax very soon; it’s a matter of final details, and it will include NO release clause, from what I’m told.”
Reports of Arsenal’s interest in Hato surfaced during the January transfer window, when Mikel Arteta was hunting for a left-sided defender. The 17-year-old is regarded in the same vein as Jurrien Timber, since linkages to the adolescent make perfect sense from a prospective standpoint.
Other reports said Arsenal could trade Jakub Kiwior to fund a deal for Hato, despite recent performances indicating the Pole is a key part of Arteta’s long-term ambitions. Kiwior, for example, is a well-established senior professional, but Hato is just starting out.
As a result, while a new contract may complicate Arsenal’s ambitions to recruit him for a certain price, it does not prevent them from executing the move, even next summer. Ajax may expect a high price for his transfer, but Hato should be viewed as more than just an established player looking to replace one of Arsenal’s existing centre-backs.
