Arsenal's pursuit of promising talent Jorrel Hato has hit a roadblock as the player is reportedly on the verge of signing a long-term contract with his current club, Ajax. This development could potentially hamper the Gunners' plans of adding him to their roster.
According to renowned sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, 17-year-old Hato is expected to sign a deal that will keep him at Ajax until June 2028. The exact terms are yet to be finalized, but it appears unlikely that an exit clause will be included in his new contract.
This news comes as a potential setback for Arsenal, whose hopes of securing Hato's services may now be dashed. Hato made his debut for Ajax in January and has since emerged as an integral part of the first team. He has started all 30 games this season, playing every single minute and proving himself indispensable.
Hato’s versatility is something that makes him different
The left-footed defender is skilled at operating both as a left-back and centre-back. His contributions have been instrumental in helping Ajax register three clean sheets across various competitions this campaign. In addition to his defensive prowess, he also boasts offensive capabilities with one goal and two assists under his belt so far this season.
Should circumstances change and allow for Hato’s move to Arsenal in the future, he would likely serve as a rotational option for them. His presence would add depth to their squad by providing competition for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Magalhaes in both left-back and centre-back positions respectively.
The prospect of signing Jorrel Hato seems bleak for Arsenal due to his impending long-term contract with Ajax; despite being only 17 years old, Hato has already made significant impact at Ajax both defensively and offensively; if he were able join Arsenal in future he could provide valuable competition depth their squad.
