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News
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Have Chelsea found the new John Terry? Transfer expert delivers verdict on €46m target
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 18 Jul 2025 18:45 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea have been told that signing one of the most promising centre-backs in the world for just €46 million is “possible”, by a renowned transfer expert.
The Blues are one of a number of Premier League clubs rumoured to have an interest in Ajax defender Jorrel Hato and Ben Jacobs has indicated that a knockdown deal should not be discounted.
Current ETV
Jorrel Hato
D (L)
Ajax
Jorrel Hato
D (L)
Ajax
ETV Range
€41.6M - €50.8M
Hato is valued by Ajax around the €70m mark, but despite previous interest from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United, Chelsea could snap up the player for significantly below this price.
Although the Blues have already spent nearly €250m on new signings, they are eager to get another couple of players through the door before the transfer deadline – with the Netherlands international defender a potential arrival.
Jacobs is quoted by Chelsea News as saying: “£40m could be possible for Jorrel Hato and Chelsea made fresh contact. Ajax right now are asking for something like £60m.”
Having been forced to look on at rivals Arsenal build a solid defensive unit, the West London side may just have snapped up their best centre-back since John Terry.
How good can Hato become?
Hato is a player with immense potential, which has been acknowledged by the type of clubs looking to sign him.
SciSports backs this up with its analysis. Hato has the third-highest potential of any central defender in world football currently, according to the analysis firm, which puts his ceiling below only Barcelona phenomenon Pau Cubarsi and Arsenal’s William Saliba.
Most promising centre-backs in football (SciSports)
| Name | Current Ability | Potential Ability |
| Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona) | 92.4 | 160.8 |
| William Saliba (Arsenal) | 129.3 | 147.9 |
| Jorrel Hato (Ajax) | 67.6 | 141.7 |
| Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta) | 109.1 | 139.5 |
| Levi Colwill (Chelsea) | 107.0 | 132.8 |
Interestingly, Enzo Maresca already has one player in his squad that falls into the top five in this category: Levi Colwill.
The drawback for the Blues is that Hato is not there yet. The 19-year-old is only rated as a ‘hot prospect’ for the moment, with a staggering 10 centre-backs ahead of him in the pecking order.
Given time and opportunities, though, the teenager can become one of the best in the world.
Hato has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €46m, and if Chelsea can land him for that fee it could potentially be one of the best bits of business they have done in many years.
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