Overview
- Personal terms have been agreed with Ajax’s 19-year-old defender Jorrel Hato as Chelsea and Ajax negotiate a fee around €40m.
- Hato has amassed over 100 senior appearances, can operate at both centre-back and left-back, and has earned six senior Netherlands caps.
- Head coach Enzo Maresca directly influenced Hato’s decision, emphasising Chelsea’s project and pathway to top-level football.
- Chelsea have opened separate negotiations with RB Leipzig for attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, with an expected fee of up to €70m.
- Back-to-back Conference League and Club World Cup wins plus Champions League qualification have strengthened Chelsea’s financial firepower.