Liverpool transfer target comes clean on Anfield visit
Liverpool will soon require replacements at centre-back at left-back amid continuing uncertainty over Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
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Van Dijk, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season and no breakthrough has yet been reached over a new deal. If no agreement is found then the legendary club captain will leave as a free agent in summer 2025.
Robertson, meanwhile, is beginning to show signs of wear and tear with Arne Slot turning to Kostas Tsimikas on occasion this term. The Reds have been linked with various left-backs over the past few transfer windows - including Milos Kerkez, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Antonee Robinson.
And sporting director Richard Hughes might yet opt to sign a promising young player who can fulfil both functions in the team long-term.
Jorrel Hato, an 18-year-old left-sided defender from Ajax, has alerted all the big teams around Europe to his talents over the last couple of years.
Jorrel Hato confirms Liverpool trip
The stopper, already a full Dutch international, is reportedly a transfer target for Arsenal and Real Madrid as well as the Anfield side.
Widely regarded as one of the most promising defenders around, it feels like only a matter of time before he moves on from Ajax. His contract extends until 2028 and the Eredivisie giants haven’t got a rosy financial outlook at present.
With plenty of attention on Hato, he nonetheless took the opportunity to visit Liverpool last weekend when the Reds were in action against Ipswich Town.
He enjoyed a 4-1 victory from the Main Stand with compatriots Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Van Dijk to the fore.
Ahead of Ajax’s Europa League game against Galatasaray on Thursday, the question of his appearance at Anfield was put to Hato and he came clean about his trip.
He confirmed he was indeed in attendance, adding that he came on the invite of former Ajax star Gravenberch. However, Hato also claimed that NO meeting took place over a transfer to Slot’s side.
"I was invited by Ryan Gravenberch," he said according to the De Telegraaf. "But I didn't speak to a director there. Liverpool played well and the atmosphere in the stadium was good, but that's all there is to say."
Despite mounting uncertainty over his future, Hato revealed he is currently happy to remain at the Johan Cruyff Arena. “I read it all," Hato admitted. "But I also know that not everything was right. For my development, it is best that I stay at Ajax now."
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