Why €40m signing is perfect move for Chelsea – and what it means for their summer

It seems like Jorrel Hato will be Chelsea’s next signing, with David Ornstein’s latest report claiming that the Blues are “closing in on a deal” to sign the Ajax defender.

It’s not done yet, but all signs are pointing to a deal being done by the end of this week.

Pieces fall into place for dream Chelsea Hato deal

Jorrel Hato on the ball. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Things have lined up nicely for Hato – he just seems a great fit. He can cover at left back, where we really need a backup for the overworked Marc Cucurella, but could also be our solution alongside Levi Colwill at centre back long term. He’s got some decent size to him, continuing the general trend of adding some inches to a team that has struggled at set pieces at times.

His price is nice too – even if it comes in at at €45m, that’s a very reasonable sum for a 19 year old Dutch international with some excellent pedigree from Ajax. There’s a reason plenty of other Premier League club have chased Hato in the last couple of years.

Chelsea’s summer business moves into final phase

With Hato signed up and his international teammate Xavi Simons soon set to follow, Chelsea’s incoming business should almost be done. There’s quality up front, in midfield and defence. Many fans would beg for a new goalkeeper, but it seems the club are stubbornly set to stick with Robert Sanchez for now.

The real rush from now until September will be on trying to move on as many unwanted players from the first team squad as possible. There’s been great progress on Joao Felix, but there still remains a slew of players – from Axel Disasi to Carney Chukwuemeka and Raheem Sterling – that are up for sale and need to be shifted from the books.