Football General Manager
Per The Athletic the west Londoners have overcome a previous stumbling block surrounding Hato’s fee to strike a deal with Ajax. The move will cost the English club in excess of €40m, and the 19-year-old will now travel for a medical as he prepares to become the latest signing of another opulent summer for the Blues.
The Blues had been playing hardball over the fee, per Telegraaf with Ajax having demanded around €60m (£52m/$68.5m) initially. Now, though, the two clubs have reached an agreement that will see Chelsea play over €40m, and it will also include a sell-on clause. Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens have already joined the club this summer, while they have also confirmed the arrivals of Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez, who had all pre-agreed transfers to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea already have a plan for Hato’s arrival and have reportedly earmarked Marc Cucurella as a senior professional who can work with his fellow defender in a mentoring relationship. The Dutchman can play as a centre-back but operates primarily at left-back.
Chelsea will hope to complete a deal for Hato in the coming days. They face Bayer Leverkusen in a pre-season friendly on Friday, August 8.
