Deal Agreed: 20-year-old striker has agreed personal terms to join Arsenal as the Gunners set to make the club highest earner- Medical done already
Arsenal have taken steps to secure the signing of Ajax sensation Jorrel Hato by offering him a contract, according to CaughtOffside.
The Gunners are in the market to strengthen their squad at the Emirates Stadium this summer following a third consecutive runners-up finish in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta.
The Spanish manager is looking to make changes to his side with several first-team players expected to depart, and now it has emerged that they are ready to bring in a young defender as part of that overhaul.
Arsenal Offer Hato Contract
Ajax don’t want to let him leave
19-year-old Hato, who has been described as ‘world-class’, is capable of playing at both left-back and centre-back and could come into the side as a replacement for first-team stars set to move on.
Hato is also attracting interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool, but it’s Arsenal who have made the first move to secure his signature by offering him a six-year deal at the Emirates.
The player is said to be closely evaluating the project that is on offer, and Arsenal have initiated official contacts with Ajax and the player’s representatives too, with positive talks held between all parties.
Hato is currently the youngest captain in Ajax history, and the Dutch club don’t want to lose their star defender after overcoming financial issues last summer.
But with Oleksandr Zinchenko expected to be sold, Kieran Tierney already leaving for Celtic at the end of his contract and question marks remaining over the futures of Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu, defensive reinforcements make sense.
Arsenal are also expected to make more signings in midfield after Jorginho moved on while Thomas Partey is set to leave at the end of his contract. Martin Zubimendi is already in London to finalise his move to the north London club, but further additions could be on their way too.
Attackers are also believed to be the priority for Arteta this summer, with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres seen as the top targets while a left-winger could also be sought after.
