Chelsea lead Arsenal in race to sign Dutch defender

Chelsea will hope to return to winning ways when they host League Two side Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon. 

The Blues have failed to win any of their last four Premier League matches, picking up just two points in the process, and manager Enzo Maresca will expect to see a much improved display against the Shrimps.

The West London side have won the competition six times this century but have also been runners-up on several occasions, including losing three consecutive finals between 2020 and 2022.

Off the pitch, those in charge of Chelsea’s recruitment will be working hard to refine Maresca’s squad before the end of the current transfer window, with a number of players expected to depart.

Now, though, it has emerged that the Blues are leading the race to sign a talented Dutch youngster.

According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea are ahead of both Arsenal and Real Madrid in the race to sign Ajax full-back Jorrel Hato.

The 18-year-old has impressed for Ajax this term, featuring in 15 of their 17 Eredivisie matches so far.

The report claims that Arsenal have identified the teenager as a target as they look to bolster their defensive options, with Jakub Kiwior likely to depart The Emirates sooner rather than later.

Hato has attracted the interest of some of Europe’s biggest clubs

Chelsea, meanwhile, are interested in Hato and are said to be frontrunners for his signature, although the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules mean the Blues will have to sell players before signing anyone.

The likes of Cesare Casadei, Ben Chilwell and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are all expected to leave Stamford Bridge this month.

The report suggests that those potential departures could allow Chelsea to move for Hato, who is expected to cost somewhere in the region of £40-45 million.

Hato is capable of playing in a number of defensive roles including at left-back and as a left-sided central defender.

His current contract with Amsterdam giants Ajax is set to expire in the summer of 2028.