Chelsea appear to be on the verge of making their latest new signing this summer.

After weeks of transfer speculation, Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, 19, is reportedly expected to complete a move to Stamford Bridge imminently.

Chelsea have agreed a £37m deal for Hato, which includes a sell-on clause for Ajax. He’s yet another highly-rated youngster to come out of the Dutch club’s famous academy, and he will leave after making 111 first-team appearances for them.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano claims via X that Hato only wanted to join Chelsea in this transfer window, plus he’s now set to travel for his medical.

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Jorrel Hato playing for Ajax against FC Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie.Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty ImagesChelsea pulled off transfer masterclass with Jorrel Hato deal

According to De Telegraaf, Ajax’s technical director, Alex Kroes, initially wanted between €55-60m (£47-52m) for Hato this summer.

It is understood that the Blues eventually agreed a fixed sum of €43m (£37m) for the versatile defender on Wednesday evening, though.

The report explains that Chelsea’s initial offer of €40m (£34m) was deemed insufficient for Ajax, but the Eredivisie giants came to the realisation that they risked the Blues completely calling off the deal. The fact that Ajax are in a tough financial situation means they need funds to improve their squad, so they ended up reaching an agreement for Hato’s sale.

Even though Chelsea supporters have grown impatient waiting for an update on Hato, the club deserves immense credit for holding their nerve to eventually pull off a transfer masterclass. At £37m, the Blues are about to sign one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe.

It is believed that Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca played a key role in the Hato transfer because the youngster has been convinced by the club’s vision under him.

Jorrel Hato defending for Ajax against NEC in an Eredivisie match.Photo by Ben Gal/BSR Agency/Getty ImagesChelsea’s plan with Jorrel Hato

Chelsea view Hato as a hybrid defender, someone who can cover left-back or centre-half, so he will be joining to effectively replace Renato Veiga.

It’s been a no-brainer this summer to sign some cover and competition for Marc Cucurella at left-back.

Hato, who played large spells at left-back for Ajax last season, can compete with Cucurella for the starting position at full-back. It must be a huge bonus for Maresca that the imminent signing can cover at centre-back as well.

If the Blues do shift into a back three in possession, we could picture Hato suiting the system perfectly.