Arsenal ahead of Chelsea in race for Ajax defender | OneFootball

Arsenal have held ‘very positive’ talks with the representatives of Jorrel Hato as the Gunners look to beat Chelsea to the defender’s signature.

Hato is regarded as one of the best products from the Ajax academy in recent seasons and has cemented himself as a key figure for the Dutch side.

The 19-year-old has already made 111 appearances for Ajax and earned six senior caps for the Netherlands. Last season, he scored twice and provided six assists in the Eredivisie, operating primarily at left-back. The 6ft defender can also operate centrally.

Journalist Rudy Galetti has claimed Arsenal have moved ahead of Chelsea in the race after positive talks. A six-year deal has been discussed with Hato’s representatives.

Arsenal are hoping to use Chelsea’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup as an opportunity to beat their London rivals to the player. Liverpool and Newcastle United have also tracked Hato this season.

Ajax value the teenager at €50m (£42.6m) and are not willing to compromise on that fee given the number of interested parties.

Mikel Arteta wants to bring in additional defensive depth, with Kieran Tierney departing for Celtic as a free agent and Oleksandr Zinchenko linked with an exit from North London.

Zinchenko started just five times in the Premier League last season after the emergence of teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly.

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See more – Is Benjamin Sesko the answer for Arsenal this summer?

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