Van Dijk's High Praise for Chelsea Target Hato Sparks Transfer Battle

Jorrel Hato of AFC Ajax has been linked with a move to Chelsea (Image: Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has delivered the perfect verdict for Chelsea on their defensive target Jorrel Hato.

The Blues have already had a busy summer transfer window, with several key additions in forward areas, most notably Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro . The latter’s arrival, in particular, proved vital to Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph, having scored in the final against Paris Saint-Germain over the weekend.

Liverpool have also been linked with the teenager and are understood to be monitoring the situation. However, their attention currently appears to be focused elsewhere, as they continue their pursuit of a striker, namely Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitike.

That could give Chelsea a free run at one of the Netherlands' most highly regarded young talents, who is held in particularly high esteem by Reds captain Van Dijk.

Daily Mail journalist Lewis Steele recently referenced Liverpool’s interest in Hato, while noting Van Dijk is a huge admirer and 'absolutely adores' the youngster. It’s claimed that Van Dijk considers Hato the best defensive talent to emerge from the Netherlands in recent years, which is high praise from one of the greatest centre-backs of the Premier League era.

Chelsea’s interest in Hato comes amid uncertainty over the futures of Renato Veiga and Ben Chilwell . Both players spent the second half of last season out on loan at Juventus and Crystal Palace respectively.

If both depart, Chelsea would be without a natural back-up left-back to ease the load on Marc Cucurella . The Spain international started 33 Premier League matches last season and missed just two matchday squads, both through suspension.