Exclusive says Chelsea “already in negotiations” with €55m target: they have advantage over Arsenal and Liverpool | OneFootball

We’ve reached the thrilling climax of Chelsea’s season, with a Champions League decider coming up on Sunday and the Conference League final the week after.

But that hasn’t stopped the Blues getting stuck into some transfer activity, and news this week has left them scrambling. For some time now it’s been clear that centre back was their priority position, and Dean Huijsen is their priority for that position.

But the last week has seen strong indications from all the top insiders that he will go to Real Madrid, and that’s meant a sudden change in course.

€55m defender now at the top of Chelsea’s list

Jorrel Hato with a Chelsea logo. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

One name that’s been mentioned a lot – and will now be bumped even higher up our list – is Jorrel Hato of Ajax. A report from CaughtOffside today makes it clear that the teenage defender is our top target, with his ability to play at left back as well as centre back making him particularly useful for us.

The Blues are “huge admirers of Hato and CaughtOffside understands that they’re already in negotiations with Ajax over a deal likely to cost around €55m.”

Chelsea should use their advantage to secure defender now

The emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal has lessened their need, while Liverpool are focused on a deal for Jeremie Frimpong which is almost done. This leaves us a clear route to Hato – but there’s still no time to waste. We can offer the 19 regular playing time as Marc Cucurella’s backup as well as a future in the centre of defence.

As it stands, he has a trickier path to first team action at Anfield. We shouldn’t waste any time – we can’t afford another top target slipping through our grasp so early in the summer.