Chelsea Agree £37m Deal for Ajax Starlet Jorrel Hato

Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Ajax defender Jorrel Hato in a deal worth an initial £37 million, pending approval from the Dutch club’s supervisory board.

The highly rated 19-year-old is set to sign a long-term contract running through to 2032. He is expected to travel to London imminently to undergo a medical, having been granted permission by Ajax to finalise the move.

Hato, a left-footed defender capable of operating both at centre-back and left-back, is seen by Chelsea as a versatile and promising addition to bolster their defensive options.

The teenager made his senior debut for Ajax in February 2023, aged just 16 years and 335 days, becoming the club’s third-youngest Eredivisie debutant. Since then, he has accumulated 75 first-team appearances and made his international debut for the Netherlands in 2023.

Ajax’s decision to part with Hato stems from financial necessity. After two seasons without Champions League football, and the revenues that come with it, the Amsterdam side are seeking to rebalance their books despite qualifying for Europe’s premier competition this year.

The move for Hato is expected to be one of Chelsea’s final pieces of business this summer, although the club continues to explore options to strengthen their attack. Talks have been held with representatives of RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, though no formal offer has been submitted.

In terms of outgoings, several departures remain on the cards. Christopher Nkunku is attracting interest and could be sold, while Chelsea are open to letting striker Nicolas Jackson leave if the right offer comes in. A group of players not in Enzo Maresca’s plans, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu, are currently training away from the first-team squad.

Summer Signings So Far

Should the Hato transfer be completed, he would become Chelsea’s eighth signing of a busy transfer window that has seen over £250 million invested in new talent. That spending has been partially offset by more than £150 million raised through player sales.

Here’s a breakdown of Chelsea’s summer arrivals:

Jamie Gittens – £48m from Borussia Dortmund. A quick and direct winger with growing potential, Gittens adds flair and unpredictability in wide areas.

Joao Pedro – £55m from Brighton. The Brazilian forward impressed last season with his creativity, movement and eye for goal.

Liam Delap – £30m from Ipswich Town. A physical striker with top-flight experience, Delap brings a different dynamic to Chelsea’s forward line.

Mamadou Sarr – £12m from Lyon. The young French centre-back is viewed as one for the future, offering poise and power in defence.

Dario Essugo – £18m from Sporting CP. Known for his aggression and maturity, the teenage midfielder debuted in Portugal’s top flight at just 16.

Estevão Willian – £29m from Palmeiras. The Brazilian winger’s move was finalised earlier this summer after the clubs struck an agreement in May.

Kendry Páez – £17m from Independiente del Valle. Although signed last year, the Ecuadorian joined Chelsea this summer after turning 18 in May.