05 January 2024 , 09:24
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Jorrel Hato has already admitted it would be a "dream" to follow in the footsteps of his former Ajax team-mate Jurrien Timber after his summer switch to Arsenal.
Hato, 17, has been one of Ajax's most consistent players this season after breaking into the first team following Timber's departure and is already beginning to attract interest from Europe's elite.
The talented teenage defender, who been likened to Timber due to his versatility, is capable of playing as a centre-back or a left-back. And after playing every minute of every match for Ajax this season, Hato has emerged as a target for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta maps out plans to reinforce his defence for the long-term.
According to The Telegraph, Arteta has identified Hato as a target just months after raiding Ajax for Timber, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending ACL injury on his Premier League debut.
While any move for Hato is unlikely to materialise this month given Arsenal's Financial Fair Play commitments, the youngster has just 18 months remaining on his current contract and could therefore be attainable in the summer. Ajax are keen to tie him down to a new deal, however.
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Speaking earlier this season, Hato talked up Timber following his move to Arsenal and admitted he dreams of following in his footsteps with a move to the Premier League.. He told ELF Voetbal in October: “Unfortunately [Timber] was seriously injured in his first Premier League game for Arsenal, but he is still young and has a bright future ahead of him.
“In any case, the move to Arsenal was a wonderful one for him. It is also my dream to one day make such a transfer, but I realise that I still have a very long way to go.”
Join the debate! Would Hato be a good signing for Arsenal? Let us know here.
Hato has played every minute of every match for Ajax this season (Getty Images)While Arsenal are already making plans for the summer transfer window, it remains to be seen what business - if any - they will do this month in a bid to boost their chances in the title race.
Mirror Football revealed back in September that Brentford striker Ivan Toney had been identified as a primary target but Bees head coach Thomas Frank has made it clear the 27-year-old will not be sold in January.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend's FA Cup fixtures, Frank said of Toney: “Clearly we are missing a few offensive players, so I can’t see why we should sell him. I would love to have him here for a long time.
“It would need to be an unbelievable price, but I expect him to be here on February 1st, so it’s not like I am worried. But I understand the football market and we can’t control it. With Bryan and Kevin injured, Wissa is away, imagine if something happened to Ivan? We need more than three offensive players.”