Arsenal and Liverpool supporters might find a fresh update from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano interesting this afternoon.
While Romano doesn’t explicitly mention either club, he has reported that Premier League teams have already begun making inquiries about signing highly-rated Ajax defender Jorrel Hato ahead of the summer transfer window.
Hato is not set to move this January, but he could be a key player to watch in the next window. This update follows previous reports linking him to Arsenal and Liverpool from other sources.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal has identified Hato as a potential target, while journalist Graeme Bailey recently reported Liverpool’s interest in the young Dutch defender. With Romano now weighing in on Hato’s future, it suggests these clubs—and potentially others—are already laying the groundwork to compete for his signature next season.
Given Hato’s impressive performances at Ajax, it’s no surprise that bigger clubs are keeping an eye on him. His future is shaping up to be an intriguing story in the coming weeks and months.
Which Club Needs Hato the Most?
At 18, Hato is capable of playing both centre-back and left-back. However, Arsenal may not have an urgent need for him following last summer’s signing of Riccardo Calafiori, along with the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly in the first team.
On the other hand, breaking into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI ahead of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães seems unlikely anytime soon, which could make Liverpool a more realistic destination.
For the Reds, Hato could be a smart long-term investment, particularly as a potential successor to Andrew Robertson at left-back or even as a future replacement for Virgil van Dijk, whose contract is nearing its end. If Van Dijk stays, he will likely remain first choice, but if he leaves, Hato could be an ideal heir to his fellow Dutchman.