Chelsea have contacted Ajax to make it clear they want to sign Jorrel Hato.
The Blues have been monitoring the 19-year-old for many months and it was always expected that they would explore the terms of a deal to sign him this summer.
Standard Sport understands they have now approached Ajax as talks between the two clubs begin.
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Hato is seen as a highly versatile defender and plays predominantly as a centre-back or left-back.
It was discussed at Chelsea towards the end of last season that greater competition for Marc Cucurella might be needed at left-back.
Personal terms between Chelsea and the player are not expected to be a problem for Hato, who has been a full Dutch international since 2023.
Hato’s agent, Humphry Nijman, was asked by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Wednesday whether Chelsea were making a concerted effort to sign the defender.
“Yes, the club has contacted Ajax,” Nijman told De Telegraaf. “The only thing I can say is that Jorrel is now in talks with Chelsea.”
It is understood that Hato has also been a long-term target for Arsenal, but he is now in talks to sign for their London rivals Chelsea.
The Blues are also attempting to sign the attacking midfielder Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and are confident they are close to agreeing personal terms with him.
Simons, also a Netherlands international, is keen to join Chelsea if an agreement can be made.
Should he sign, Hato would be Chelsea’s second defensive addition of the summer after Mamadou Sarr was signed from Strasbourg.
