Chelsea close in on £40million transfer with personal terms already agreed

Chelsea are close to reaching an agreement with Ajax to sign defender Jorrel Hato, talkSPORT understands.

The Dutch international has already agreed personal terms on a move to Stamford Bridge.

A club-to-club agreement has yet to be finalised, but is expected to be reached in the coming days.

The two sides are believed to be edging closer to a deal worth around £40million.

Hato would become Enzo Maresca’s eighth signing of the transfer window.

The likes of Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap have all joined the club already this summer.

Meanwhile, Hato’s arrival would take their spending past the £250million mark.

The 19-year-old made his senior Ajax debut aged 16 and has already appeared for the club 111 times.

Across those matches, he has scored four goals and provided nine assists.

As well as starring at left-back, the teenager can also play in central defence.

Since making his international debut as a 17-year-old in 2023, Hato has won six caps for the Netherlands.

He was also part of their under-21 side at the Euros earlier this summer, captaining them in their semi-final loss to England.

Alongside their incomings, Chelsea have also seen seven players make permanent exits this summer.

The most noteworthy was the £52million departure of Noni Madueke to Arsenal.

Both Joao Felix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could still follow the England winger out of the door.

Felix is set to move to Al Nassr in a £45million deal, whilst Fulham have made an approach to sign Dewsbury-Hall from their London rivals.

When do Chelsea next play?

Hato’s Chelsea debut could come in their next fixture with the Blues yet to return to action following the Club World Cup.

Maresca’s side will play two pre-season friendlies at Stamford Bridge ahead of the new season.

Their first is against German side Bayer Leverkusen on August 8 before a clash with AC Milan two days later.

Chelsea then begin their Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on August 17.