Liverpool and Manchester United have reportedly joined Arsenal in the race to sign fledgling Ajax defender Jorrel Hato.
The 18-year-old recently penned a new contract with the Amsterdam giants until 2028 on account of his eye-catching rise to prominence, which has seen him become the youngest captain in Ajax's history.
Hato has worn the armband on three occasions for John van 't Schip's side this season and has not missed a single minute of senior football, playing 38 times across the Eredivisie, KNVB-Beker, Europa League and Europa Conference League.
The teenager has come up with one goal and three assists in that time and also set up a goal on his Netherlands debut last November, a 6-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Gibraltar.
Amid growing interest in the 2006-born defender - who is comfortable in a central or left-back position - Ajax confirmed that they had tied him down to a new long-term deal last week, but summer bids are considered inevitable.
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Arsenal have been heavily linked with a swoop for Hato, but according to Football Insider, Liverpool and Man United are also keeping tabs on the youngster ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Reds have apparently likened Hato to his compatriot and versatile Manchester City defender Nathan Ake, but the club believe that he still needs to bulk up before he is ready for the rigours of the Premier League.
However, both Liverpool and Man United still possess a strong interest in Hato ahead of potential summer defensive reshuffles, as the former are supposedly prioritising rearguard reinforcements after revamping their midfield in 2023.
As things stand, Joel Matip - who will not play again this season due to an ACL injury - will be leaving when his contract expires at the end of June, although Jurgen Klopp has suggested that he will be handed an extension offer.
Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams are both expected to leave permanently, though, as neither man has become a regular for Klopp since their frequent appearances in the 2020-21 campaign during Virgil van Dijk, Matip and Joe Gomez's layoffs.
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Meanwhile, Man United could also be waving goodbye to at least one experienced rearguard member on a free transfer this summer, as Raphael Varane is in the final six months of his contract.
The Red Devils can trigger a 12-month extension in the Frenchman's deal, but they are yet to do so, and it is unclear if Jonny Evans's terms will be prolonged beyond the end of the campaign too.
Furthermore, the long-term futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are still clouded in uncertainty, and West Ham United are supposedly planning to reignite their pursuit of the former.
The Red Devils also retain an interest in Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo, but there are fears that the Ligue 1 club could block the 20-time English champions from moving for the Frenchman this summer.
Ben Knapton
