Arsenal and Real Madrid target best defender of his generation

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 5 Jan 2024 09:21 GMT
• 7 min read

Ajax sensation Jorrel Hato is attracting transfer interest from Arsenal and Real Madrid amid other major clubs, and the hype is justified, with the Dutchman shaping up to be an outstanding player.

The 17-year-old has already featured on more than 40 occasions for Ajax’s first team and has become a regular this season, playing every single minute of his club’s 25 competitive matches across all competitions.

Although the Amsterdam club are going through an uncharacteristically difficult period, Hato’s performances have stood out. Ajax have conceded an incredible 45 goals this season, so the fact the teenager has shone is no small achievement.

How good is Jorrel Hato?

Hato is in line to be the outstanding defender of his generation.

His Estimated Transfer Value is already over €19 million – a figure that is unparalleled among teenage defenders.

Similarly, data analytics experts SciSports believe that among defenders 19 or younger, he has the second-highest ceiling of any player in the world and the highest of players currently 17.

Among the players he is rated more highly than is Leny Yoro, the 18-year-old Lille star who has been linked with a string of major clubs. Already there is a potential future rivalry brewing between these two outstanding youngsters, though they are very different players.

While Yoro is a pure central defender, Hato boasts the ability to play either in the middle or on the left, which is one of the reasons that he is attractive to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Real Madrid, meanwhile, also require cover in both areas, making him a logical choice for Los Blancos.

He has featured exclusively as a centre-back for Ajax this season and has defied his club’s poor form to become one of the best-rated defenders in the Eredivisie.

Any transfer is expected to take place in the summer, with Hato destined right for the top.