Chelsea close to ‘FANTASTIC’ Jorrel Hato deal

Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner
  • 28 Jul 2025 09:53 BST
  • 4 min read
Jorrel Hato, Chelsea
© IMAGO

Chelsea are intense negotiations with Ajax over a transfer for Jorrel Hato, and a “fantastic” agreement appears close for the promising defender.

Article continues under the video

Hato was notably absent from the Ajax squad that played in the Como Cup final on Sunday, suggesting the talks are at an advanced stage, and leading transfer experts in the Dutch media say that a move is close.

Chelsea initially bid €40 million for the 19-year-old but the Amsterdam club rejected this offer, claiming that the figure was too low. Instead, Ajax were hoping to land a deal between €55-60m.

Current ETV
Player image Jorrel Hato
Jorrel Hato

D (L)

Ajax logo

Ajax

Jorrel Hato
Jorrel Hato

D (L)

Ajax

Ajax

€46.2M

ETV Range

€41.6M - €50.8M

Negotiations, though, appear to have gone smoothly, according to Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf.

He reports: “The expectation is that both clubs will find a middle ground. Around the Johan Cruijff ArenA, people are saying: '€50 million is also a fantastic amount.’”

David Ornstein, reporting for The Athletic, echoes this news. It states that personal terms are agreed in the deal, with a transfer fee above the €40m mark.

Chelsea, it is claimed, are "closing in" on the youngster.

Hato, who Arsenal also followed earlier this summer, has an Expected Transfer Value (ETV) of €46.2m, so any price around the €50m mark would appear to represent fair value to all parties.

Current ETV
Player image Jorrel Hato
Jorrel Hato

D (L)

Ajax logo

Ajax

Jorrel Hato
Jorrel Hato

D (L)

Ajax

Ajax

€46.2M

ETV Range

€41.6M - €50.8M

Pushing for a move

Hato reportedly asked Ajax’s management to leave him out of the squad that suffered a 3-0 loss to Como on Sunday. It is claimed that he feared that he might pick up an injury that would prevent him from making the move to Chelsea – a switch that he is “eager” to complete, according to Dutch sources.

The teenager had an excellent season under manager Francesco Farioli. As a left-back, Hato regularly impressed with strong performances, and those results may now earn him a move to Chelsea.

Jorrel Hato, Chelsea Club Fit
© IMAGO - Jorrel Hato, Chelsea Club Fit

Although he is under contract with Ajax until the summer of 2028, he is currently setting his sights on a move to the Premier League.

Hato is a young defender with immense potential, and if this deal goes right, it could be a spectacular move for both him and Chelsea. There are lingering doubts over the Blues’ suitability, however.

Football transfer news headlines today

Isak causes Newcastle ‘SPLIT’ as Liverpool prepare record bid

Cristiano Ronaldo signs €100m star from Chelsea – Fabrizio Romano

Sesko passes two Ruben Amorim tests ahead of Man Utd move

DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

Google Play

App Store

Never miss the next big transfer!

Get the latest transfer insights and analyses directly in your mailbox.