Chelsea are frontrunners in the race to sign ‘fantastic’ defender who’s captained his club as a teenager, he may cost £40m

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Chelsea continue to be linked with several different names in a crazy transfer rumour mill.

The transfer speculation is flying around at Chelsea in the January transfer window, both in terms of potential incomings and outgoings.

In general, Enzo Maresca should be content with the talented Blues squad at his disposal. There are one or two areas that may need addressing, though.

• READ MORE: Chelsea’s latest January transfer plans prove Todd Boehly still has a long way to go to being perfect

Chelsea lead race for Ajax star Jorrel Hato

According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea are frontrunners in the transfer race to sign Ajax defender Jorrel Hato.

It is explained that the Blues have jumped ahead of Real Madrid for the 18-year-old Eredivisie talent.

The report says that Arsenal are monitoring the versatile teenager, but it’s Chelsea who are now in pole position for him.

Apparently, Dutch giants won’t want to lose a super talent like Hato, but it would be difficult for them to reject any bids in the region of £40m-£45m.

Hato, who came through Ajax’s famous academy, has now made 89 first-team appearances for the Amsterdam giants. In fact, he even wore the captain’s armband for a match in 2023 at the age of 17.

The teenager is a mainstay in the Ajax backline this season, scoring three goals and creating five assists in 28 appearances across all competitions. He’s usually in the starting line-up at left-back, although he can cover at centre-half.

Chelsea really liked Ajax youngster Hato last summer when he was on their radar, so it’s interesting to see his name has now cropped up again in 2025.

Do Chelsea need Jorrel Hato?

Described as “fantastic” by Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson (Ajax’s official website), Hato is destined for a big transfer as top sides circle for him.

On paper, Hato ticks so many boxes for Chelsea as a developing youngster with major versatility and talent. Should Enzo Maresca’s side push hard for his signature, though?

As it stands, Marc Cucurella is the outstanding left-back at Stamford Bridge. It could be argued that the club needs to find long-term competition for him because versatile man Renato Veiga is his current understudy.

Maresca is happy with Chelsea’s Veiga right now, even though he’s linked with a potential exit.