{"id":297706,"date":"2025-07-28T05:34:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T05:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/297706\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T05:34:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T05:34:15","slug":"top-48m-defender-asks-to-be-left-out-of-match-after-agreeing-transfer-deal-with-chelsea-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/297706\/","title":{"rendered":"Top \u00a348m defender asks to be left out of match after agreeing transfer deal with Chelsea | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Chelsea
\n\t\tChelsea are looking to close a deal with Ajax for teenage defender Jorrel Hato (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Jorrel Hato asked to be left out of Ajax<\/a>\u2019s squad to face Como 1907 <\/strong>this weekend after agreeing personal terms with Chelsea<\/a>, according to reports in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

Chelsea have splashed the cash across another busy transfer window, sealing deals for Jamie Gittens,\u00a0Joao Pedro<\/a>,\u00a0Liam Delap<\/a>,\u00a0Dario Essugo<\/a>\u00a0and Mamadou Sarr for a combined fee of around \u00a3190million.<\/p>\n

Despite already strengthening at the back with the addition of Sarr from Strasbourg<\/a>, the Blues have set their sights on making Hato, 19, their next signing and talks with the full-back\u2019s camp have been advancing at a pace in recent days.<\/p>\n

Hato, who is comfortable operating at both left-back and centre-back, has welcomed the interest from Chelsea and the versatile Dutchman is said to be actively pushing to force through a transfer to Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

But while Hato has informed Ajax that he wants to leave, the Eredivisie outfit rejected Chelsea\u2019s opening bid<\/a> and sent a counter offer back to west London for the teenager.<\/p>\n

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With talks ongoing, Algemeen\u00a0Dagblad<\/a> report that Hato told Ajax head coach John Heitinga that he would \u2018rather not play\u2019 in the side\u2019s Como Cup final defeat to Como on Sunday.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s claimed this is \u2018entirely related\u2019 to his potential move to Chelsea, though \u2018that doesn\u2019t say anything about the status of negotiations, which are currently difficult\u2019.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"PSV
\n\t\tHato played no part in Sunday\u2019s Como Cup final (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Eredivisie
\n\t\tThe teen won the Eredivisie Talent of the Season award in May (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Hato was also absent for Ajax\u2019s semi-final win over Celtic earlier in the week. However, Heitinga insisted this was because the defender was yet to gain full match fitness having only recently returned to training.<\/p>\n

Ajax are said to be holding out for a fee of between \u20ac55-60million (\u00a348-52.5m) for Hato, who still has three years remaining on his current contract in Amsterdam.<\/p>\n

Speaking to De Telegraaf on Wednesday, Hato\u2019s agent, Humphry Nijman confirmed that Chelsea had opened discussions to close a deal for last term\u2019s Eredivisie Talent of the Season.<\/p>\n

\u2018Yes, the club [Chelsea] have contacted Ajax,\u2019 he told the Dutch newspaper.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Portugal
\n\t\tAjax rejected Chelsea\u2019s opening bid for the youngster (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Hato featured 50 times for Ajax across the 2024\/25 campaign and played a key role as the club narrowly missed out on the Eredivisie title after finishing just one point behind PSV Eindhoven.<\/p>\n

In an interview with Ajax\u2019s official website last month, Hato outlined the goals and ambitions he hoped to fulfil in his career.<\/p>\n

At the time, the Netherlands international was keen to stress that he felt at \u2018home\u2019 at Ajax.<\/p>\n

\u2018The smartest thing is to look ahead to pre-season, that\u2019s what I do,\u2019 Hato said.<\/p>\n

\u2018Of course you want to achieve things in the end: the Champions League, a World Cup and a European Championship, I still have plenty of time. I don\u2019t think I absolutely have to win the Champions League in two years.<\/p>\n

\u2018In the Dutch league, you have to show how good you are against the big clubs. Ultimately, I have to continue to develop the things I am already good at, so that it becomes top.<\/p>\n

\u2018How do I describe my time at Ajax? Ajax is home for me. I just feel at home here.\u2019<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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