Liverpool set sights on 17-year-old star compared to De Ligt

13 Sept 2023 12:03 BST
3 min read

Liverpool have set their sights on the arrival of Ajax star Jorrel Hato.

According to English media, the central defender is high on the wish list of Jurgen Klopp’s side who are closely monitoring his performance.

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Hato's departure would be a hard blow for Ajax, as the Amsterdam side have already said goodbye to defenders Jurrien Timber, Calvin Bassey, Owen Wijndal and Jorge Sanchez this summer.

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Although the transfer window has just ended and Hato will certainly play in Amsterdam until January, Liverpool are already preparing for the coming transfer period and are keeping a close eye on the Rotterdam native’s performances.

Hato was one of the players to benefit from the malaise at Ajax last season, so the central defender was given his chance in the starting line-up under John Heitinga at the age of 16.

Due to the enormous exodus at Ajax this summer, Hato is suddenly one of the longest-serving players in the Amsterdam team's selection.

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His departure could, therefore, have consequences for the squad dynamics, as Ajax brought in no fewer than 12 new players last transfer period.

Seven months after his Eredivisie debut against SC Cambuur – a 5-0 win - he made his debut in the Netherlands U21 squad as a starting player and was subsequently linked to the Dutch national team by one of the greatest Dutch football players of all time.

De Ligt comparisons

Hato is mentioned in the same breath as Matthijs de Ligt and so it cannot be long before European superpowers start angling for his services.

Hato will not celebrate his 18th birthday until March next year and experts will advise him to stay at Ajax for a few more years. After all, in Amsterdam he knows what he has. If he continues to play football like this, he will be an indispensable part of Ajax's starting XI, while he can take his first steps in the Europa League this season.

But the teenager will already have his eyes set on the Champions League, which is the target for Ajax as they aim to bounce back after a poor season. If they fail to qualify for that competition, it may well be that they lose one of their brightest talents in Hato.