Jorrel Hato’s future at Chelsea is in doubt despite Marc Cucurella’s exit, The Chelsea Chronicle has been told.
Following Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid, the expectation was for Hato to start next season as Chelsea’s first-choice left-back.
It is still a possibility, but the 20-year-old wants to play in the Champions League and other clubs are being made aware of that.
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Intermediaries offer Jorrel Hato to Arsenal and Manchester United
After Chelsea’s extremely disappointing 2025/26 season, intermediaries have now offered Hato to Arsenal and Manchester United, transfer insider Ekrem Konur has informed The Chelsea Chronicle.
He said: “Chelsea’s young defender Jorrel Hato has been offered to Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal through intermediaries for the summer transfer window. Despite being only 20 years old, the Dutch international is highly eager to play in the UEFA Champions League next season.
“Manchester United are planning a long-term overhaul of their defensive line. Their strategy of investing in young talents with high development potential makes Hato’s profile highly attractive. However, no formal bid has been submitted at this stage.
“At Arsenal, Mikel Arteta is well-known for wanting to incorporate dynamic young defenders into his squad planning. Hato’s tactical flexibility — being equally comfortable playing as a centre-back or a left-back — could offer great depth to the Gunners. Arsenal have also not taken any concrete steps yet.
“While Chelsea’s initial intention remains to keep the player in their long-term plans, these structural offers made via agents have firmly put a potential transfer on the agenda. From a financial perspective, sources suggest a valuation of around €50 million for Hato, which represents significant market value for a defender of his age.
“Jorrel Hato’s name looks set to be heavily featured throughout the summer window. The interest from Manchester United and Arsenal could open the door for a move to another Premier League giant, but the lack of official bids means the situation remains completely open.”
Konur also told The Chelsea Chronicle that Chelsea were interested in Bologna’s Jonathan Rowe. However, their interest is likely to have cooled now following the club’s £117m agreement to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.
Losing Jorrel Hato would be major blow for Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso will be desperate to keep hold of Hato. He has just lost a World Cup winner and one of the best left-backs in the world in Cucurella, while Chelsea are struggling to agree a fee with Rayo Vallecano to sign Pep Chavarria.
As well as being able to play at left-back, Hato can also start on the left side of central defence in either a back four or back five.
That flexibility makes him the perfect defender for Alonso, who could switch between a 4-2-3-1 formation and 3-4-2-1 set-up next season.
Chelsea will find it difficult to close the gap with Arsenal in the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, but they will be hoping to compete against United for a Champions League spot.
With that in mind, selling Hato to the Red Devils would be counterproductive, especially having already sold Andrey Santos to them.
This is a development to keep an eye on, though, with Hato not thought to be on Chelsea’s list of untouchable players. The right offer could perhaps see the Dutchman depart after just one season at Stamford Bridge.
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