Liverpool Want To Sign The 18-Year-Old Centre-Back: Good Pick? | OneFootball

Giuseppe Labellarte of TBR Football has reported that Arsenal are no longer interested in signing Jorrel Hato. Liverpool and Chelsea are the frontrunners right now, as they have started scouting the player for a summer move. Hato has shown his skills while playing as a centre-back for Ajax and hence has caught the attention of the Premier League clubs.

The 18-years-old has already made his name at this tender age and can be a big signing for Liverpool. Virgil van Dijk has been the leader of the defence for the Reds and has served them for so many years. The Netherlands international has already entered the last few months of his contract and might leave for free when the season ends. Therefore, Arne Slot needs a long-term replacement for their centre-back.

He is an emerging Dutch football talent, renowned for his technical prowess and tactical acumen at Ajax. At just 18, he’s adept at playing as both a centre-back and left-back, showcasing exceptional ball-carrying, passing, and defensive intelligence. His strengths include high passing accuracy, leadership qualities beyond his years, and an ability to anticipate plays. Hato’s agility, combined with his maturity on the pitch, makes him a standout player with a promising future in European football.

MUNICH, GERMANY – OCTOBER 14: Jorrel Hato of Netherlands in action during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Germany and Netherlands at on October 14, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images for DFB)

Why he can be a good signing for the Reds?

Hence, the player can be a good present as well as a future acquisition for the Anfield side. Hato has conceded 16 goals and kept seven clean sheets in 18 matches in the Eredivisie 2024/2025 season. That means when Hato is on the pitch, his team concedes a goal every 92 minutes. Moreover, he’s made 2.40 tackles and 0.78 interceptions for every 90 minutes he was on the pitch. Hato is also racking up about 1.56 clearances at the same time. His total G/A (goals + assists) is six for this season.

The Reds have quite a number of Dutch players in the squad. This could definitely convince Hato to make his move to Anfield. The Dutch club won’t be looking to let him leave for a cheap amount in the summer, and the Reds definitely have to spend a lot to sign the prodigious talent. However, Hato, being a top-class defender, will definitely relish the opportunity of playing for a big club like Liverpool.