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Ajax defender Jorrel Hato has long been linked with a transfer move to Liverpool, but he could make the move to the Premier League this summer to join one of the Reds' rivals.
Hato has been left out of Ajax's friendly with Celtic amid talks over a move to Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge side, according to the BBC, is looking to get a deal done for Hato and his Dutch international teammate, Xavi Simons, who plays for RB Leipzig.
Hato, 19, has long been considered one of Europe's most promising young defenders. Last season, he made 31 appearances in the Eredivisie and already has Champions League experience for one of the Netherlands' biggest clubs.
Earlier in the year, he also made a visit to Anfield. However, despite mounting speculation that he might be heading there on a more permanent basis come the summer, Hato quickly explained his trip.
"I read it all," Hato said of the speculation, in press conference remarks covered by De Telegraaf. "But I also know that not everything was right. For my development, it’s best that I stay at Ajax now."
Hato also cleared up any remaining confusion about what he was doing in Liverpool. It turns out he was simply enjoying a weekend off, taking a trip to Merseyside at the invitation of one of the Reds' players.
"I was invited by Ryan Gravenberch," Hato confirmed. The pair were both at Ajax once, and play alongside one another for the national team.
"I didn't speak to a director there," Hato said. "Liverpool played well and the atmosphere in the stadium was good, but there is no more to say."
This summer, Liverpool had already snapped up Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvil before a deal for Hugo Ekitike was confirmed yesterday. It could reach up to $106 million (£79 million) including add-ons.
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak could be another one to watch after he told his current side that he wants to move on, while a center-back might also be required after Jarell Quansah moved to Bayer Leverkusen.
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"I think we can find one or two extra weapons this team doesn’t have," Arne Slot said heading into the summer. "Maybe, maybe, by using the transfer market. That is what we are trying to achieve.
"That will make us only stronger. That is what we need because we saw [Manchester] City spending £200 million in the [January] transfer window. All of them will. Apart from the transfer window, we can also improve certain aspects ourselves."
Liverpool.com says: Hato is talented but he plays on the left of the Ajax defense and spent most of last season at full-back. The Reds already have three left-backs on their books at the moment, and Virgil van Dijk to play the left-sided center-back role.
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