Arsenal may be looking to sign another young player following their acquisition of Jurrien Timber in the summer. Manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly interested in Ajax teenager Jorrel Hato, who has expressed his desire to play in the Premier League.
Timber’s move to Arsenal was met with unfortunate circumstances as he suffered an ACL injury during his Premier League debut, potentially ruling him out for the rest of the season. With the title race approaching, Arteta is believed to be searching for defensive reinforcements in the winter transfer market. Hato’s impressive performances for struggling Ajax have caught the attention of the Arsenal manager, and with less than 18 months left on his contract, the Gunners may see an opportunity for a bargain transfer.
Ajax is reportedly interested in offering Hato a new contract, but whether he stays with the club, considering their current position in the Eredivisie, remains uncertain. In an interview with ELF Voetbal in October, Hato expressed his desire to follow in Timber’s footsteps and praised the young defender despite his injury setback.
Injuries have limited Arteta’s options this season, with Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko sidelined. Takehiro Tomiyasu is also absent as he competes in the Asian Cup. Despite signing Jakub Kiwior for £17 million last year, Arteta has used him sparingly when other defenders like Ben White, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhaes are available for selection.