
Chelsea closing in on Jorrel Hato deal
An agreement between the clubs has yet to be reached but is nearing, with a compromise expected in the coming days on a price worth more than €40million (£34.8m; $46.7m).
Personal terms are already in place for the 19-year-old Netherlands international defender.
Chelsea opened discussions with Ajax over a move for Hato earlier this month. Arsenal had previously identified Hato as a defensive target in January 2024, before he signed a new five-year contract with Ajax last summer.
Hato, who has made 111 first-team appearances for Ajax and has captained the side, is predominantly a left-sided centre-back who has also featured at left-back.
Capped six times at senior international level by the Netherlands, he joined Ajax's academy in 2018 from Sparta Rotterdam and has been a fixture in the first team since making his debut in January 2023.
Advertisement
Chelsea have already signed Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens this summer, alongside the arrivals of players on pre-existing agreements including Estevao, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke and Djordje Petrovic are among the players to have left Stamford Bridge permanently this month.
Analysis by Andy Jones and Mark Carey
Hato is one of the hottest defensive prospects in Europe, having played regularly for Ajax for the last two seasons.
Graduating from the Ajax academy, he is technically gifted and confident in possession. He is used to being in a ball-dominant side and he is not afraid to be adventurous with the ball at his feet both through dribbling or using his passing range. For context, only PSV Eindhoven's Richy Ledezma posted a better pass completion rate than Hato's 89 per cent among Eredivisie full-backs last season.
At such a young age, he is still growing into his body and that will only benefit him defensively, an area he is good in but has room to improve — he is a solid one-on-one defender, reads the game well but does not dominate aerially.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Culture Secretary calls on Morecambe owner to sell
The culture, media and sport secretary has written an open letter to Morecambe owner Jason Whittingham calling on him to sell the club. Earlier this week the Lancashire side were suspended by the National League for failing to comply with their rules and, on Thursday, prospective buyers Panjab Warriors said in a joint-statement with the club's minority shareholders that the club would shut on Monday without a takeover. Lisa Nandy said that the incoming football regulator would look to stop situations like this arising again in the future but "will not be up and running in time to help Morecambe today". She added: "It is imperative that you act and get round the table to do so." In the most recent statement from Whittingham on Sunday, he said owners Bond Group Investments were ready to sell and urged Panjab Warriors to make contact. The sports investment company, who have been in talks to purchase the club for more than a year, released a statement on Tuesday which said they remain "ready, willing and able" to take over.


Forbes
16 minutes ago
- Forbes
Three Takeaways From Lions Vs. Chargers Hall Of Fame Game
While there's not too much to take away from an NFL preseason game in terms of team schemes and understanding a team's identity, there's always room to analyze players competing for roster spots or the chance to land a starting position for their team. In last night's preseason Hall of Fame Game between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers, quite a few NFL prospects were competing for the chance to make an NFL roster. While the game resulted in an uncompetitive 34-7 blowout, there were three takeaways from the matchup that highlighted NFL talent either making a name for themselves or willowing under the pressure. Trey Lance Leaves His Mark On The Chargers' Backup Quarterback Position Battle With Justin Herbert being the undisputed starting quarterback for the Chargers, the backup role is up for grabs between journeyman Trey Lance and veteran Taylor Heinicke. Lance received most of the reps by playing three quarters for the Chargers and throwing for 120 yards to go with two scores on 13 of 20 passing. He took part in leading five scoring drives for Los Angeles and showed off improved accuracy on intermediate throws along with a phenomenal touch pass on a deep ball to rookie wideout KeAndre Lambert-Smith. It's likely that Henicke will get the requisite reps in the Chargers remaining three preseason games, but for the time being, Lance has shown the first dose of promise during in-game competition for the backup role. Omarion Hampton Pulls Ahead In The Starting Running Back Competition In just one drive and two carries, Omarrion Hampton showcased his upside as a rusher that has many feeling he could be the Chargers' starting running back come opening week. Hampton dashed for eight yards on his first official carry before bearing the brunt of a powerful tackle by Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin that resulted in him gaining a yard on his second carry during a third and three. The Chargers would convert the upcoming fourth down into a touchdown from a Lance pass to tight end Will Dissly. With Najee Harris' availability for the upcoming season unknown as he manages an eye injury from an offseason fireworks accident, Hampton has the chance to be Los Angeles's lead back with a continuous stretch of strong moments from preseason play. Detroit Lions Backup Quarterback Position Battle Remains In Flux Like the Chargers, the Detroit Lions have their starting quarterback position solidified with the presence of Jared Goff. They do however have a need at the backup quarterback position and veteran Kyle Allen along with Detroit's third-year mid-round selection Hendon Hooker are battling it out for the spot. Allen was given the start and through two quarters was pretty underwhelming. He did lead a 15-play 60-yard scoring drive in the second quarter that saw him complete all four of his pass attempts for 19 yards. That drive was off the heels of consecutive interceptions from Allen which killed first quarter momentum for the Lions offense when they were somewhat moving the ball. In half two, Hendon Hooker took over the reins and led Detroit to a three-and-out, a turnover on downs, a punt and an interception. The Lions offense recorded just three first downs that entire second-half offensive stretch. Both quarterbacks combined for just over 100 yards passing with no touchdowns and three interceptions. Each will need better moments of play to have a chance at obtaining the QB2 role.

Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Wrexham signs former England defender Conor Coady from Leicester
WREXHAM, Wales (AP) — Wrexham signed defender Conor Coady from Leicester as it reshapes its squad to cope with promotion to the second-tier Championship. Coady brings 198 games' worth of Premier League experience and 10 appearances for the English national team. He was part of England's squad at the last World Cup in 2022 but didn't play. 'I'm over the moon. It's a special day, I'll be honest," the 32-year-old defender said in a club statement. 'We've all seen what the club has done over the past few years and for me to join is really special and I can't wait to meet the boys and get started.' Coady arrives for an undisclosed fee from Leicester, one of Wrexham's opponents in the Championship in the upcoming season. He signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year. The club made internationally famous by its celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and the 'Welcome to Wrexham" documentary series is doing things differently after returning to the second tier for the first time since the 1980s. As well as staging a preseason tour of Australia and New Zealand, Wrexham has parted company with the experienced Paul Mullin and Steven Fletcher, and signed players like United States international Damion Downs. Wrexham's Championship campaign begins at Southampton on Aug. 9. ___ AP soccer: