LONDON – Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign highly rated Ajax defender Jorrel Hato for an initial fee of €40 million (£35.5 million), with the 19-year-old set to pen a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Personal terms have already been agreed, and the Dutch international is expected to travel to London for a medical in the coming days.
The deal includes significant performance-based add-ons and aligns with Chelsea’s transfer policy of targeting young, promising talents on long-term contracts. Hato, who has made over 100 senior appearances for Ajax and is comfortable playing at left-back or centre-back, was omitted from Ajax’s squad for the Como Cup in anticipation of the move.
In 2023, Hato became the youngest player to captain Ajax at the age of 17 and made his senior debut for the Netherlands shortly after. He was also part of the Dutch Under-21 team that reached the semi-finals of the European Championship in Slovakia last month and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top defensive prospects.
Hato will be Chelsea’s seventh signing of a busy summer window, joining Liam Delap, João Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Estêvão, Dário Essugo, and Mamadou Sarr. The Blues are also in advanced negotiations with RB Leipzig over a potential move for 22-year-old Netherlands international Xavi Simons, who is valued at approximately €70 million.
Simons, who returned to Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain in January after two successful loan stints, is versatile in attack and reportedly favours a move to the Premier League over Bayern Munich.
On the outgoing side, Chelsea have parted ways with several players including goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Djordje Petrovic, and winger Noni Madueke. João Félix also left the club, joining Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr in a deal worth £44 million.
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