Chelsea have been one of the busiest clubs this summer, and it appears that they have no plans to halt their transfer operations anytime soon. They have already welcomed plenty of fresh faces, including Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens. While there have been some departures as well, with the most significant being Noni Madueke's £52m move to Arsenal and while Joao Felix is also closing in on a £43.7m move to Al-Nassr.
The Blues are currently working on finalising a deal to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, but that is not the only move they are pursuing. They are also negotiating a deal with Ajax to sign Jorrel Hato, and a fresh update has arrived today regarding this.
Chelsea and Hato's camp reportedly reached an agreement last week as the defender welcomed the Blues' interest and accepted a long-term contract, enticed by the project and the opportunity to play in the Premier League. The Dutch international is said to be actively pushing for a transfer to Stamford Bridge.
But while Hato has informed Ajax of his clear desire to join Chelsea, Ajax are believed to have rejected the Blues' initial offer for the player. Now, there seems to be a fresh update on the situation.
David Ornstein confirms Chelsea transfer signing is close
According to David Ornstein, Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Hato from Ajax. The agreement between the two clubs is yet to be reached but is getting nearer. A compromise is expected in the coming days on a fee above €40 million.
The 19-year-old made his professional Ajax debut at the age of 16 and has already made 111 appearances for the club, during which he has scored 4 goals and provided 9 assists. The versatile Dutchman is capable of playing at both left-back and centre-back, making him a valuable option for any team.
Hato has earned six caps for the Netherlands since making his debut for the national team in 2023 at the age of 17. Earlier this summer, he captained their under-21 team during the EUROs, when they lost to England in the semi-finals.
Chelsea clearly need a backup for Marc Cucurella in the squad, given Renato Veiga's expected departure from Stamford Bridge. Hato is a rising defender with a lot of potential, and could be a replacement for the Portuguese international. It would be a big move for him and the Blues if this deal works out.