Keith Morrow 
Arsenal have made Ajax star Jorrel Hato a priority signing ahead of the summer transfer window opening next week.
The highly-rated 18-year-old made his debut for Ajax last season and fast established himself as a first-team regular.
With the summer transfer window opening on June 14 for Premier League, EFL and Scottish clubs Arsenal are keen to bolster their squad at the start of an important summer.
Hato was rewarded by the Dutch giants for his impressive breakthrough campaign with a new deal ties the coveted defender to the Dutch club until 2028.
With Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu keen to add to the squad's left-sided defensive options, Hato is No1 on their list as the player although mostly deployed at left centre back for Ajax is equally adept at left back.
Hato had recently been chosen by the club's technical staff as Talent of the Year for the 2023-2024 season.
The eighteen-year-old defender received the Marco van Basten Award after Hato impressed when playing in all 46 official matches for Ajax this season.
Jurrien Timber won the award in 2022.
