Arsenal are now looking to sign AFC Ajax prospect Jorrel Hato in the January transfer window. So, here is everything to know about the wonderkid on Mikel Arteta’s radar.
Sources have confirmed to HITC Football that Arsenal want to sign Hato this month as Arteta bids to improve his defence. The Emirates Stadium outfit are eager to improve their backline after a downturn in form. They have only won one of their last six games in all competitions.
Hato has caught Arsenal’s eye with his performances for Ajax so far this season as a pillar of their defence. The 17-year-old has started in all 25 of his appearances and is yet to miss any of de Godenzonen’s fixtures. He has even captained the Eredivisie club in a clutch of games.
Arsenal are interested in Jorrel Hato’s January transfer from AFC Ajax
Arsenal would now like to target Hato’s transfer from Ajax but any switch is unlikely until the summer sales. His Amsterdam outfit are also hopeful of persuading the teenager to agree to sign a new contract. Yet Ajax accept they will have little choice but to sell if he turns it down.
Hato is currently under contract until June 2025 and is still on the same terms he penned as a youth player. The Dutchman agreed to the deal in March 2022 before making his first-team debut in January 2023. Alfred Schreuder debuted him at 16 years, 10 months and four days.
Arsenal would advance their interest in Hato’s transfer this month if Ajax show a willingness to sell the defender. Chelsea and Liverpool, along with Real Madrid, have also scouted Hato this term. So, with that in mind, here is everything you need to know about the wonderkid…
Who is Arsenal transfer target Jorrel Hato?
Ajax defender Jorrel Hato is a transfer target for Arsenal and has earnt further interest from Chelsea and Liverpool. The defender is also a product of de Godenzonen’s academy after he moved to Amsterdam in 2018. Hato also earlier spent time in Sparta Rotterdam’s youth fold.
Sportclub Feyenoord also briefly had Hato on their books as a kid before making his name at their first-team rivals. He has further flourished at various international levels, including now at the senior level. Ronald Koeman handed Hato his senior Netherlands debut in November.
Hato first represented his country at the Under-16 level in November 2021 and rose through their U17 and U21s over the following two years. The 5 ft 11 talent even laid on an assist for Liverpool ace Cody Gakpo to score on Hato’s senior bow in a Euro 2024 qualifier in Gibraltar.
Where and when was Jorrel Hato born?
Jorrel Hato was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands on March 7, 2006. But along with his Dutch citizenship, the defender holds dual nationality with the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao.
What position does Jorrel Hato play?
Ajax have trained Jorrel Hato to play in multiple positions throughout his time in their youth fold and first-team. The defender is comfortable playing as both a centre-half or a left-back. He even made fleeting outings as a central midfielder for de Godenzonen’s U17s in 2021/22.
How good is Jorrel Hato?
Arsenal are now interested in agreeing Jorrel Hato’s transfer from AFC Ajax in January to add one of Europe’s most highly-rated young defenders to Mikel Arteta’s side. He has been a real shining light for his Eredivisie outfit this season through a strong and wide emerging skill set.
Hato is physically strong yet is also a fast operator who thrives in possession to help build up play. He also contributes in offensive and defensive phases, especially when fielded as a full-back. The Dutchman is often able to foil rival attacks as he has great anticipation and timing.
His positioning also sets Hato up well to stop rival attacks before breaking out from the back with the ball. The youngster has shown great footwork in Amsterdam to run with the ball or play it out. The Guardian also named Hato in the top 60 of its Next Generation list for 2023.
Ajax manager John van’t Schip, meanwhile, has described Hato as ‘very clever as a 17-year-old’. While former Netherlands midfielder Marciano Vink praised the defender’s work after de Godenzonen beat AEK Athens 3-1 in a Europa League group stage game in December 2023.
“After the 3-1, Ajax no longer had any problems and that was also because of Hato,” he said, via Voetbal Zone. “I really thought that boy was sovereign again.
“He is 17 years old, he is captain and he also sets a good example. He played a hell of a first half and he did everything well in the second half.”
Jorrel Hato’s stats at AFC Ajax
Jorrel Hato has made regular appearances across various age levels since joining AFC Ajax in his youth. The defender has also emerged as a pillar of de Godenzonen’s teams across the age groups. He has even captained the Dutch giants’ Under-17s, U18s, U19s and senior side.
Under-17, AFC Ajax: 21 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist
Under-18, AFC Ajax: 10 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
Under-19, AFC Ajax: 6 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist
Under-21, AFC Ajax: 13 appearances, 1 goal, 0 assists
First-team, AFC Ajax: 40 appearances, 1 goal, 2 assists
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