Football General Manager
- Blues open talks over Dutch defender
- Hato also targeted by Liverpool
- Ajax star has hefty asking price
Per talkSPORT, Chelsea have opened talks over a deal to sign Hato from Ajax as they seek defensive reinforcements this summer. The Blues have already recruited no fewer than seven players this summer but their only defensive acquisition has been Mamadou Sarr in a £12 million ($16m) deal from sister club Strasbourg.
Per the report, Hato appeals to Chelsea due to his ability to play at centre-back and at left-back, although he also figures prominently in Liverpool’s thinking. Hato is expected to cost around £40m ($53.5m), although Ajax are currently demanding £60m ($80m) from interested parties.
Chelsea have multiple central defensive options already but the report claims that Axel Disasi could leave amid interest from Villarreal. The Blues are hoping to earn around £30m ($40m) if they sell the centre-back, who spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Aston Villa.
Chelsea face Bayer Leverkusen on August 8 in their next scheduled pre-season friendly after their Club World Cup triumph.