In-demand Ajax defender Jorrel Hato has once again expressed his commitment to the club, despite growing interest from other teams in his talents.
At just 19 years old, Hato can play both centre-back and left-back, and he has already made over 100 appearances for Ajax. He notably became the youngest captain in the club’s history when he led the team in a Europa League match in December 2023.
As a key player for both his club and the national team, Hato has caught the attention of several elite clubs.
Premier League powerhouses such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool have all reportedly shown interest in acquiring the Dutch international.
Nevertheless, Hato seems in no hurry to leave Ajax, explaining that he’s found a true home there.
“The smartest approach is to evaluate it season by season,” he shared with club media when discussing his future for the 2025-26 campaign.
“Of course, you aim for big achievements in the end: the Champions League, the World Cup, and the European Championship.”
“I still have a lot of time ahead of me; I don’t feel pressured to win the Champions League within two years.
In the Dutch league, you really have to prove your worth against the top clubs.
It’s important for me to keep improving the strengths I already have, so they reach the highest level.
How do I feel about my time at Ajax? It’s home for me. I genuinely feel like I belong here.”
Hato recently extended his contract with Ajax, committing himself to the club for another four years.
This means the Eredivisie giants aren’t in a rush to consider offers from Europe’s top teams right now.
Any clubs interested in signing him will likely need to fork out over £40 million ($54.3 million) to entice Ajax into a sale, especially for a player who was recognized as the best Under-21 talent in the Dutch league last season.