With pre-season just around the corner, Chelsea aren’t wasting any time adding fresh energy to their squad.
And the latest move? A near-complete deal to bring in Ajax’s rising star Jorrel Hato—a 19-year-old with plenty of promise and versatility.
A £37 Million Move Nearly Wrapped Up
Chelsea are now close to signing Hato in a deal worth around £37 million, marking another big-name addition in what’s shaping up to be a very active transfer window.
The club sees him as direct competition for Marc Cucurella in the left-back role, but Hato’s flexibility means he could also slot in at centre back when needed.
Personal Terms Already Locked In
According to reports, Hato has already agreed on personal terms with Chelsea—those details have been in place for over a week.
Now that both Chelsea and Ajax have come to an agreement on the transfer fee, all that’s left is for Hato to travel to London and wrap up the formalities.
Cucurella Needs Support After a Demanding Season
Marc Cucurella played a heavy 2,000 minutes during the 2024–25 campaign, which ended with Chelsea lifting the Club World Cup in the United States.
With such a packed schedule, insiders say the club has been eager to ease the pressure on him and help prevent burnout or injury.
Hato is seen as the ideal player to share the load.
Chelsea Have Been Watching Hato for a While
This wasn’t a sudden signing decision. Chelsea have been tracking Hato closely for several months now.
In fact, Mail Sport first flagged their interest back in early May.
The young defender, who began at Sparta Rotterdam before coming through Ajax’s academy, has even captained Ajax, a rare feat for someone his age.
Another Addition to a Busy Transfer Window
Hato is just one name in a long list of new arrivals at Stamford Bridge this summer. He’ll join players like Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, with more expected in the coming weeks.
Among them is Estevao Willian, the exciting Brazilian teenager, who will link up with the squad at Cobham once his holiday wraps up.
Countdown to Pre-Season Kickoff
Most of Chelsea’s squad are set to return for pre-season training around August 4.
With Hato’s deal nearly sealed, he could be one of the fresh faces at Cobham ready to impress under Enzo Maresca’s leadership.
