Arsenal Continue Scouting ‘Special’ Eredivisie Defender For Possible Future Transfer

Arsenal are pushing strongly for their first Premier League title in over 20 years and have catapulted their way to the top of the league standings, but their impressive form doesn’t stop them from looking to the future and the Gunners have started being linked to Ajax defender Jorrel Hato again.

Arsenal Scouting Ajax Defender Jorrel Hato

When Could Arsenal Make A Move For Hato?

Fabrizio Romano reports that the Gunners have extensively scouted the young centre-back throughout the 2023/24 season after having signed Jurrien Timber from the club last summer. However, it is further added that the 18-year-old is set to sign a new contract soon with the Dutch club which will make it tough for any team to sign him in the summer.

The journalist adds that the new contract is will run until 2028 and will not have a release clause inserted. Furthermore, the centre-back is not expected to change clubs this summer after he puts pen to paper over a new deal, but this could change in the 2025 summer window. For the time being. Arsenal continue sending their scouts to monitor his development and remain interested over a possible transfer in the future.

How Can Hato Fit In At Arsenal?

The teenager has been a breakout star at Ajax this season, filling the void that Timber left, having made 36 appearances for the club. He has also earned a Netherlands national team debut (against Gibraltar in November 2023) and seems to be on the rise when it comes to being the next big defender to come out of the country.

Hato has been praised as “special” and earned a reputation for being a composed defender who can read the game well and also move the ball forward to help play his team out of possession from their own half. Hato might be eyed as a possible long-term centre-back option for the Gunners, especially if he can continue his rapid progress at Ajax. Mikel Arteta’s side doesn’t seem eager to sign the centre-back immediately but are likely to keep an close eye on him to weigh up whether it’ll be right to sign him in the near future.