Exclusive: Chelsea Have Joined the Race to Sign £40m Defender in ‘Ambitious’ Move | OneFootball

Exclusive: Chelsea Have Joined Liverpool and Arsenal in the Race to Sign £40m Defender

Chelsea have already started making movements in the transfer department ahead of the summer window as Enzo Maresca looks to strengthen his side ahead of his second season.

Yesterday, we exclusively revealed that Chelsea had fallen out of the race to sign AFC Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, but they have quickly identified alternative targets.

The 20-year-old Spaniard has a £50million release clause in his contract that will be valid from this summer. However, Huijsen wasn’t convinced by the contractual package or the quality shown by Maresca’s side this season and therefore leaving a move to Liverpool or Arsenal more likely.

But, Chelsea are already eyeing a move to reinforce their back line despite that setback…

Jorrel Hato to Chelsea?

EPL Index’s sources have now confirmed that Chelsea have joined the race to sign 19-year-old Ajax defender Jorrel Hato. The Dutchman has been heavily linked with a potential move to Premier League rivals Liverpool or Arsenal, but the Blues are now ambitious in their pursuit of the teenager.

Photo: IMAGO

With 39 goals conceded in 32 games in the Premier League so far this season, a defender is thought to be at the top of Maresca’s transfer priority list. Valued at around £40million, Hato has caught the eye of the London club, who are heavily interested in making a move happen this summer.

Why do Chelsea Want to Sign Hato?

Despite his tender age, Hato has a wealth of experience behind him, already making 106 senior appearances for Ajax, as well as earning six caps for the Netherlands. His versatility also makes him a valuable option, with Liverpool already interested in the youngster as an option to provide depth at both left-back and centre-back.

As a left-footed defender, Hato would be in contention alongside Levi Colwill for a starting spot in Maresca’s starting eleven – a player that has also been linked with a move to the Reds in the past.

Who Else is in the Race to Sign Hato?

As mentioned above, Chelsea are not alone in their pursuit of Hato with Liverpool and Arsenal also on the lookout for defensive reinforcements this summer. However, the Blues can certainly offer a guaranteed amount of minutes that their two rivals simply cannot.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool’s centre-back pairing is currently made up of the best in the world, Virgil Van Dijk, and French international Ibrahima Konate, with both playing pivotal roles in their rise towards the Premier League title.

On the other hand, Mikel Arteta currently has both William Saliba and Gabriel at his disposal, with the latter being a left-footed centre-back, which doesn’t bode well for Hato.

At a price of around £40million and with a guarantee of minutes in the starting eleven, Chelsea could certainly hold a promising position in the race to sign the 19-year-old ahead of next season.