‘Amazing’ defender set to sign new deal at current club after strong links with Arsenal

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Fabrizio Romano has now provided a contract update on a defender Arsenal were thought to want to buy this coming summer.

Even with the injury to Jurrien Timber, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal defence do seem to be one player short when compared to the likes of Manchester City.

And perhaps a centre-back to provide cover for William Saliba will be needed this summer.

Arsenal fans will be keeping everything crossed that Saliba doesn’t suffer an injury in the next few months, similar to the untimely back injury he suffered last season.

Although Ben White could move back centrally, it would cause disruption on the right.

That being said, Arsenal have often been linked with Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt of late – even if that move may not make sense.

However, perhaps their strongest interest lies with Ajax’s Jorrel Hato, a 17-year-old who appears to have all the potential in the world.

Hato is now a regular in Ajax’s first-team, prompting admiration from those in North London.

But given Fabrizio Romano’s latest update, it seems as if Arsenal may face an uphill battle to sign the defender.

Fabrizio Romano says Ajax defender Jorrel Hato will sign a new deal amid Arsenal links

Sharing his update on X, Romano said that Hato was close to signing a new deal that wouldn’t contain a release clause.

He stated: “Ajax are closing in on new deal for 2006 born top talent centre back Jorrel Hato.

“There are still details to clarify then it will be done — until 2028, as per ESPN Netherlands.

“Hato, in the list of European top clubs including Arsenal.

“Understand there will be NO release clause.”

Of course, Romano’s update suggests that it will be slightly harder for Arsenal to bring the defender to the Emirates this summer.

Hato does seem like the perfect profile to add to Arteta’s squad, though, a player who can learn from Saliba whilst also eventually providing competition.

So perhaps Arsenal wouldn’t be deterred from making a move still, if their interest is serious enough.

All that being said, Arsenal have just called up a ‘brilliant’ young defender to first-team training.