Jorrel Hato reveals transfer plans amid Liverpool and Chelsea links

Milan Keskin

Updated: 29 Jan 2025 17:25 GMT
4 min read

Ajax wonderkid Jorrel Hato has shut down speculation linking him with a move away after recently being spotted at Anfield.

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Hato is one of the stable factors in Francesco Farioli's team at Ajax this season. The defender has been on the list of European top clubs for some time now.

A departure in this window therefore appeared to not be out of the question. However, Hato sees the situation differently and would prefer to stay at Ajax for the remainder of the season.

"I read it all, but I also know that not everything was correct. I have no intention of leaving this winter. For my development, it is best that I stay at Ajax now. I just want to finish the season at Ajax," the left-back responded briefly and concisely at the press conference in the run-up to the match against Galatasaray in the Europa League.

Hato was an attentive spectator at the match between Liverpool and Ipswich Town on Saturday, which fuelled the speculation surrounding his future.

"I was invited by Ryan Gravenberch, but I didn't speak to a director there. Liverpool played well and the atmosphere in the stadium was good, but that's all there is to say," he explains. According to Hato, his presence had nothing to do with a potential move to Liverpool.

Interest is growing

Transfer market expert Rudy Galetti confirmed Liverpool's interest in Hato last weekend and reported that Ajax wanted at least €30 million for the versatile defender. De Telegraaf's Mike Verweij also knows that Hato is doing 'incredibly well.'

"There are a lot of big clubs. Real Madrid are also following him closely," he recently claimed. Liverpool are reportedly considering making a move this winter. In this way, they hope to outsmart Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid, among others.

Arne Slot sees Hato as an excellent addition to his squad and knows that he can also use the defender as a left-back. However, the chance of a winter transfer is zero, Verweij believes.

"He has so far indicated that he does not think the winter break is a time to make a transfer," the journalist previously explained. "Ajax fans do not have to fear a departure in the winter at the moment. Moreover, I also think that Ajax will not let him go under any circumstances."

Hato went through the youth academy of the Amsterdammers and made his debut for Ajax 1 on January 11, 2023, during a cup match won at FC Den Bosch. Since then, Hato has become an indispensable part of the Ajax starting line-up.

While he played a lot of minutes as a central defender last season, Francesco Farioli sees him more as a left-back. This season, he has already played 31 matches in the shirt of Ajax.