Arsenal will reportedly have to make a big offer this summer if they’re to sign a wonderkid who is rated highly by Mikel Arteta.
The Basque coach has made sticking to youth one of his guiding principles since taking over at Arsenal in 2019, with the Gunners one of the youngest squads in Europe with Bukayo Saka and William Saliba two of the best players in the world despite being aged 23 and younger.
With Jorginho the only player in the entire squad over the age of 30, it’s clear that Arteta’s approach to squad building has paid off big time for the present and for the future, with more young additions expected to be made.
Yet Arsenal could have to shell out a lot this summer to land one particular target.
Arsenal will need to make mega bid to sign Ajax sensation Jorrel Hato
According to the Athletic, Arsenal will have to make ‘an enormous offer’ if they’re to sign Ajax teenager Jorrel Hato, who has emerged as a left-back target for the Gunners this summer.
Arteta is a reportedly a big fan of the ‘generational’ 18-year-old defender, yet with Hato signing a new long-term contract with the Dutch giants earlier this year, signing the wonderkid could be a financially tough operation.
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Indeed, whilst Arsenal could have the funds to match Ajax’s demands for Hato this summer, pressing issues elsewhere in the squad means the Gunners have to be reasonable when it comes to their attempts to sign the defender.
Yet given the nature of Arsenal’s interest in Hato, there could still be some room for the north London side to reach an agreement with Ajax for their star talent with a future transfer, something we have seen from big clubs in recent years.
Agreeing future transfer could be possible this summer for Arsenal
Future transfers are something Arsenal haven’t done too often in recent years, yet that streak could be broken this summer with Hato, who could be tempted to agree to a move to north London in the coming months.
Not only would it help Arsenal avoid breaking the bank this summer, but it could also benefit Hato’s development, with the defender better off staying at Ajax for an extra year and getting as many games as possible under his belt.
As we know, Hato is unlikely to slot in immediately into Arsenal’s starting XI if he was to join this summer, and another season playing regularly with Ajax could be huge for the defender in reaching his ‘generational’ potential.