Arsenal may look to add a defender to their squad as Mikel Arteta upgrades on his options at full-back, but a key target may now be unattainable.
Arsenal already have several options available to them at left-back in Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior and Jurrien Timber. However, it was recently reported that Arteta wants a specialist in the position.
Several targets have emerged, such as Fenerbahce defender Ferdi Kadioglu, but links were strong with Ajax sensation Jorrel Hato.
However, the teenager has now spoken out about his plans for next season and it appears that he may no longer be an option for Arteta this summer.
Jorrel Hato says he wants to stay at Ajax despite Arsenal links
Speaking to Dutch outlet AjaxLife, Hato denied any talk of a transfer, insisting that his plans are to remain at Ajax next season.
“No, I’ll just play for Ajax next season,” he replied to a question about a move this summer.
“I haven’t finished learning here yet. And I want to win prizes with Ajax. That was my dream when I came here.”
Ajax endured a tough campaign as they finished fifth in the Eredivisie, and there may be a belief that their disastrous season means that money raised from transfer sales is now more important than ever, such that a key player such as Hato could be sold.
Could Arsenal still sign Jorrel Hato this summer?
If Hato does leave Ajax this summer, it will hardly be the first time a player has announced his intention to stay before departing.
Hato did have a reported £86m asking price, which could make a move to Arsenal this summer unlikely, but Arteta reportedly believes that he could be a “generational talent” who could become a mainstay in his defence for years to come.
Arsenal do have options in the position, but if Kiwior or Zinchenko were to depart, then they could generate funds and make room for a big-money arrival like Hato as a starter in the position.
However, with other priorities to address, this seems like a deal which could wait until an opportunity arises further down the line rather than one Arsenal will continue to pursue early on in the summer.