Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Joe Mewis

Arsenal in contact with wonderkid's agents as they plot sensational move: report

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking to add to his defensive ranks.

Arsenal are reportedly in ‘strong contact’ with the representatives of promising Ajax defender Jorrel Hato as they ponder pulling the trigger on a move for the 17-year-old. 

Hato is enjoying a breakthrough season with the Dutch giants, having already made 29 Eredivisie appearances and was handed a full Netherlands debut in November after rising up through the international youth ranks. 

The teenager’s versatility is said to be impressing Arsenal, as the Gunners look for a defender that can operate across the back-four. Jurrien Timber was earmarked for this role in Mikel Arteta’s squad when he made the switch from Ajax to the Netherlands in the summer, only to suffer a serious ACL injury during his first Premier League appearance back in August. 

Jorrel Hato of Ajax  (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are now in regular contact with Hato’s agents and are plotting a summer move for the highly-rated prospect. Given his age, Hato would not be able to sign for a Premier League side until March, when he turns 18.

The report adds that Hato is open to signing a new deal with Ajax, with the club waiting to hand him an improved contract following his 18th birthday.

Hato joined Ajax in 2018 when he swapped the Sparta Rotterdam youth set-up for the Amsterdam side’s academy. After making his debut during a cup game in January and quickly became a first-team regular during what was a testing year for the former European champions.

Hato’s former Ajax team-mate Timber, meanwhile, is believed to be making good progress in his recovery from injury, with the Mail reporting that he is closing in on a return to group training, with the club hopeful that he could play a role in the final weeks of the season.

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal lining up Brazilian hitman as surprise new striker - in move that will unsettle rivals ahead of clash: report

Arsenal offered incredible chance to sign Karim Benzema as leading suitor named: report

How Arsenal could make £30m - thanks to beating Crystal Palace 5-0

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.