Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Ajax full-back Jorrel Hato, according to reports.
The Blues have set out their stall in the summer transfer market, completing deals for Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr for a combined fee of around £190million.
But the Europa Conference League winners are determined to further bolster Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad before the deadline and attentions have turned to bringing in defensive reinforcements.
Reports emanating out of the Netherlands earlier this summer claimed Hato’s camp had held initial discussions over a proposed transfer move to Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal and Liverpool have also been credited with a strong interest in Horrel, 19, who was last season named the Eredivisie Talent of the Season.
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But the versatile Dutchman, who can play at left-back and centre-half, was said to have been perceptive to Chelsea’s advances and talks have been advancing at a pace in recent weeks.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Horrel has now asked Ajax to leave and informed the Eredivise outfit of his desire to join Chelsea having agreed personal terms with the Blues.
It’s claimed negotiations over a possible fee of €40million (£35m) are now in their ‘final stages’.
Just hours earlier, Romano reported that Chelsea were firmly in the driving seat to wrap up an agreement for the highly rated teenager, as well as RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons.
Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Wednesday, Hato’s agent, Humphry Nijman, said: ‘Yes, the club [Chelsea] have contacted Ajax.’
Hato made 50 appearances in all competitions last season and played a key role as Ajax narrowly missed out on the Eredivisie title after finishing just one point behind PSV Eindhoven.
The youngster’s current contract in Amsterdam runs through to June 2028.
In a wide-ranging interview with Ajax’s official website last month, Hato opened up on the goals and ambitions he hoped to fulfil in his career.
At the time, the defender was keen to stress that he felt at ‘home’ at Ajax.
He said: ‘The smartest thing is to look ahead to pre-season, that’s what I do.
‘Of course you want to achieve things in the end: the Champions League, a World Cup and a European Championship, I still have plenty of time. I don’t think I absolutely have to win the Champions League in two years.
‘In the Dutch league, you have to show how good you are against the big clubs. Ultimately, I have to continue to develop the things I am already good at, so that it becomes top.
‘How do I describe my time at Ajax? Ajax is home for me. I just feel at home here.’
