Chelsea have held fresh talks for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato as they explore defensive reinforcements, talkSPORT understands.
Hato is high in the Blues’ thinking and also on the radar of Liverpool.
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The 19-year-old Ajax academy graduate is of appeal because he can play centre-back or left-back.
Chelsea are looking for a versatile left-sided defender because Ben Chilwell and Renato Veiga are both expected to leave this summer.
Marc Cucurella is manager Enzo Maresca’s starting left-back, but cover for the Spain international has come from Malo Gusto and even Reece James on occasion, with both players natural right-backs.
Levi Colwill can also be utilised as a left-back and started there in a 0-0 draw at Everton last season, but it is not his preferred position.
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Hato featured 50 times for Ajax last season, scoring three goals, and has won six caps for the Netherlands.
He is contracted until 2028 at the Dutch giants and does not have a release clause.
A transfer is expected to cost around £40million, even though Ajax are quoting clubs an inflated price of £60m.
It is not thought any Premier League club has yet placed a bid for the 2024/25 Eredivisie Talent of the Year.
Hato is the type of young defensive profile that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes also admires, with the club keen to add a left-sided centre-back in the 18-22 age bracket.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is the only exception to this rule, but Liverpool won’t proceed if the asking price remains in excess of £45m.
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Chelsea have various centre-back options already on the books such as Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile.
Wesley Fofana remains out with a hamstring injury, whilst Mamadou Sarr has joined Aaron Anselmino as another young prospect.
talkSPORT understands Villarreal have approached Axel Disasi over a summer move, with Chelsea hoping to earn £25m-£30m.
Disasi has been an irregular player under Maresca and spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.
He was also not selected in the Chelsea Club World Cup squad for this summer’s tournament, which they won on Sunday by beating Paris Saint-Germain in the final and earning just under £100m for doing so.
