AFC Ajax rising star Jorrel Hato has now revealed his ‘dream’ to one day follow Jurrien Timber by securing a transfer to Arsenal following his compatriot’s move this summer.

The Gunners raided the Amsterdam club to sign Timber this July for £34.5m, rising to £38m after add-ons. But Mikel Arteta has been unable to utilise the 22-year-old’s skills in the north Londoner’s backline. Arsenal lost their recruit to an ACL injury on his Premier League debut.

Arteta is set to be without Timber for most of the term due to his ACL injury. But the 15-cap enforcer is making progress in his recovery at London Colney. He only featured twice for the Gunners in competitive games after signing a five-year contract to quit Ajax after nine years.

Hato reveals his ‘dream to follow Timber to Arsenal

Timber featured 14 times with Hato before leaving Ajax for Arsenal this summer. Hato broke into De Godenzonen’s first-team in February 2023 for his senior bow under Johnny Heitinga. The 17-year-old has since enjoyed 25 appearances having established an integral presence.

Hato firmly established his presence in April and has not looked back, starting 12 of their 13 games since. The pacy prospect has played as both a centre-back and as a left-back, too. So, Voetbal International now reports that Ajax aspire to lock Hato down with a new contract.

Ajax intend to open talks with Hato over a new contract as the teenager is still only on youth terms in Amsterdam. He has been at the Johan Cruyff Arena since 2018 and is making gains in his development. Now, De Godenzonen have stated their intention to extend his contract.

Ajax are intent on holding onto Hato in Amsterdam

Hato will also earn an improved salary by putting pen to a new contract with Ajax. His youth terms are due to run until June 2025 after signing an extension in March 2022. But the U21 Netherlands international is already thinking further down the line and a future elsewhere.

After spells in Sparta Rotterdam’s academy and with Ajax, Hato hopes to follow Timber and secure a transfer to Arsenal. The Rotterdam native has also backed Timber to have a ‘bright’ future at Emirates Stadium. He was delighted to see the defender sign for the Gunners, too.

“Unfortunately, he was seriously injured in his first Premier League game for Arsenal,” Hato told ELF Voetbal. “But he is still young and has a bright future ahead of him.

“In any case, the move to Arsenal was a wonderful one for him. It is also my dream to one day make such a transfer. But I realise that I still have a very long way to go.”

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