Liverpool have taken another look at Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, but were also watching two of his teammates on their most recent scouting mission, a report has revealed
Hato has been identified as one of Liverpool’s top targets for the summer as they aim to bring in a left-footed defender. The Dutchman can play either as a centre-back or full-back, but both roles are ones Liverpool could be looking to reinforce. With that in mind, Hato ticks a lot of boxes as Arne Slot continues his Anfield revival
Eager to keep up their pursuit of the Ajax academy graduate, who turns 19 next week, Liverpool have been scouting Hato recently to get as much insight on him as possible.
According to TBR Football, their latest scouting trip took place last week, when Ajax hosted Go Ahead Eagles and claimed a 2-0 win.
Hato played at left-back, but he wasn’t the only member of Francesco Farioli’s squad that Liverpool were looking at
According to the report, Liverpool also took notes on Anton Gaaei, a Danish 22-year-old right-back who joined Ajax from Viborg in 2023, and Mika Godts, a Belgian 19-year-old forward who joined Ajax from Genk in the same year.
TBR claims Hato could cost Liverpool £40m, but no asking prices have been mentioned for the other players on their radar.
Gaaei could be being viewed as a potential successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is approaching the end of his contract at Liverpool and is wanted by Real Madrid.
Godts, meanwhile, is a right-footed left winger, so would be competing for a role with the likes of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz at Anfield, rather than being a potential successor to Mohamed Salah.
The update about Hato comes in the wake of Liverpool also being heavily linked with a move for Antonee Robinson at left-back.
In fact, Robinson has been described as Liverpool’s top target for the position, where they want to phase out Andy Robertson.
And the latest on that front implied that the Fulham full-back would be open on a move to Liverpool, so it remains to be seen if they would prioritise getting that deal over the line ahead of one for Hato – or if they could have room for both players, given the latter’s versatility