Transfers: The elite talent who could complete Arteta’s defence this summer

With Kieran Tierney, Jakub Kiwior, and Oleksandr Zinchenko all potentially heading for the exit door, Arsenal’s summer transfer plans are likely to include a reshuffle at the back as well as the heavily documented attacking moves.

One name that has remained on the club’s radar is Jorrel Hato, the Ajax wonderkid who could be the ideal fit for Mikel Arteta’s evolving backline.

At just 19 years old, Hato has already captained Ajax and demonstrated composure well beyond his years. He’s equally comfortable at left-back and left centre-back, offering the kind of versatility Arteta values highly – especially with Arsenal’s tendency to invert full-backs and rotate roles mid-game. With Riccardo Calafiori prone to injuries and Lewis-Skelly also an option in midfield, there’s room for Hato to complete Arsenal’s set of defenders.

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According to Transfermarkt, Hato has already racked up more than 40 senior appearances for Ajax, impressing scouts with his maturity, positioning, and left-footed distribution. Arsenal have scouted him for months and view him as a potential cornerstone of their defence for years to come.

With Tierney set to leave on a free, Kiwior reportedly attracting Serie A interest, and Zinchenko’s also likely to leave, the Gunners are lacking a player that Arteta trusts to take time and the burden off of Gabriel, who has just undergone hamstring surgery.

The addition of Hato would not only reinforce depth but also sharpen the competition across the backline. It would allow William Saliba and Gabriel to rotate more confidently, while giving Arsenal the flexibility to deploy either a back four or back three without compromising balance.

Explore more Arsenal transfer news and targets, including the club’s interest in Viktor Gyökeres – the clinical striker who could crown the attack – and whether a midfield pivot to Pablo Barrios could unlock the full potential of Arsenal’s midfield.