With the conclusion of the Club World Cup, Chelsea fans are likely to closely monitor any transfer activity as the players take a well-deserved break before next season.
Chelsea have already been quite busy this summer in the transfer window, but the speculation is ramping up regarding more potential ins and outs at Stamford Bridge.
Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, 19, has been linked with a move to West London across recent months.
Previous reports claimed that Chelsea lined up a move for Hato to take place after the Club World Cup amid potential competition from Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle United. It now looks like Blues head coach Enzo Maresca has accelerated interest in the teenage Ajax talent.
Chelsea hold fresh Jorrel Hato talks, Ben Chilwell and Renato Veiga expected to leave
According to talkSPORT, Chelsea have held ‘fresh’ discussions for Ajax star Hato as they look to strengthen their backline.
It is explained that the Dutch youngster is an attractive option because he can cover both centre-back or left-back. Apparently, he will cost any potential buyer around £40m this summer, even though Eredivisie giants Ajax are quoting a £60m fee.
At the age of 19, the talented defender has already made over 100 senior appearances since breaking through the iconic Ajax academy.
Hato has been evaluating Chelsea’s project, so will he now be tempted to join the Club World Cup champions?
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 111 | 4 | 9 |
TalkSPORT’s report adds that Chelsea want a versatile left-sided defender because Ben Chilwell, 28, and Renato Veiga, 21, are both ‘expected’ to leave this summer.
Chilwell and Veiga spent the second half of last season out on loan at Crystal Palace and Juventus, respectively. It now sounds like the defensive pair will find new clubs and move on before the close of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea can’t meet Veiga’s demands of a guarantee to play as a central defender, so he could be offloaded as a result. It’s a shame because the Portuguese talent covers both the centre-half and left-back spots very well, but he’s determined to play in the heart of defence on a consistent basis.
As for Chilwell, his time in West London has come to a natural ending after five years on the club’s books, but he could be a good signing for a lot of teams in the Premier League.
Marc Cucurella desperately needs help
It would be a travesty if Chelsea leave themselves in the same position again with only Marc Cucurella, 26, as their only senior left-back in the squad.
Even though the Spaniard is extremely durable and one of the world’s most in-form full-backs, it’s impossible to ask him to play every single game. The Blues should be extra mindful at the start of next season that their players have just had a busy summer competing and winning the Club World Cup.
On paper, Dutch prodigy Hato may be the perfect understudy for Cucurella looking ahead to the 2025/26 campaign.
If he arrived at Stamford Bridge, the Ajax talent could compete for both the left-back and centre-half spot.
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