Ajax defender Jorrel Hato is a target for Arsenal, while Atlético Madrid have their sights set on Tottenham Hotspur's World Cup winner Cristian Romero. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
- Arsenal have joined Liverpool in showing an interest in Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, according to TEAMtalk, with the 19-year-old able to play at left-back and center-back. There could be plenty of other competition for the Netherlands international with Real Madrid, Chelsea, and AC Milan also having been impressed by him. Despite his young age, Hato has started 61 Eredivisie matches since making his first-team debut in February of 2023.
- Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero is a target for Atlético Madrid, Sky Sports reports. The Argentina international has a contract with Spurs until 2027, meaning this summer could be a pivotal one for his future as the club may seek to secure a big transfer fee if they do not feel confident he will sign a new deal. Romero, who turns 27 before the end of the season, is one of Spurs' senior players but has had yet another season disrupted by injuries.
- Barcelona's re-sign clause set on Sporting CP striker Francisco Trincão expired last summer, according to Record. Trincão, 25, joined Sporting CP on a permanent transfer from Barça in the summer of 2023. Barça, who retain 50% of any future transfer fee, held an option for Trincão set at €25 million but that expired on June 30, 2024. A target of top European clubs reportedly including Arsenal and Manchester United, Trincão is in talks to sign a contract extension with Sporting with his current deal ending in June 2026. The Portugal international has scored eight goals and set up 12 more in 26 league appearances to help Sporting remain at the top of the Primeira Liga standings. He scored a brace in Sunday's 5-2 extra time win against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.
- Two Premier League clubs are interested in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, according to TEAMtalk. Chelsea and Aston Villa are reported to be keen on the 29-year-old France international, amid belief that the Rossoneri are willing to part ways with him in the summer. Scouts from Stamford Bridge are believed to have been scouting Maignan for "over a year", while the Villans see him as a potential future replacement for Emiliano Martínez.
- An offer worth over £100m will be required to land Southampton forward Tyler Dibling, reports the Telegraph. It is expected that multiple clubs are set to explore a move for the 19-year-old in the summer, with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at the front of the queue for his signature. Dibling has scored two goals in 25 Premier League matches so far this season, and he has also previously been linked with Manchester United.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN Netherlands' Thijs Zwagerman looks at Jorrel Hato's impressive and rapid rise development at Ajax:
Only Ryan Gravenberch and Clarence Seedorf were younger when they made their debut for Ajax than Jorrel Hato. The young defender didn't need much time to secure a spot in the starting lineup at just 16 years old. Hato recently passed the impressive milestone of making 100 first-team appearances for the club. He has also already won six caps for the Dutch national team.
Since his rapid and impressive breakthrough, Hato has rarely been caught having a poor game. Even in the historically dramatic last season, Hato was one of the bright spots at Ajax as a central defender. This season, under new coach Francesco Farioli, he has found himself in the left-back position.
Although the 6-foot-tall Hato was a central defender for almost his whole development, his future seems to be brightest as a left-back. His speed, athleticism and defensive insight make him highly suited for the left-back position. Hato is capable of pressing high up the field and is also very useful in possession. He can operate both as a wing-back and inverted full-back, showing great composure and vision with the ball.
Given his young age, consistent performances and great potential, it is no surprise that top European clubs are closely monitoring Hato's progress. Both as a player and for his calm and stable character, Hato is often compared to Jurriën Timber, who successfully made the step from Ajax to the Premier League after making the switch from central defender to full-back. Could Hato soon make the same journey?
OTHER RUMORS
- Real Madrid centre-back Raúl Asencio is set to sign a new four-year deal worth up to €9 million a year, just four months after the 22-year-old made his first-team debut. (Marca)
- Bournemouth have identified making Kepa Arrizabalaga's loan from Chelsea permanent as a priority for the summer transfer window, although any deal will rely on the goalkeeper accepting a pay cut. (Football Insider)
- Everton are set to begin talks with England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 22, over a new deal to ward off interest from elsewhere. (i Sport)
- Juventus are closely monitoring Benfica defensive midfielder Florentino and are waiting for new coach Igor Tudor to give his blessing to advance negotiations. (Record)
- London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are competing to sign Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg this summer, while the Hammers are also looking at Lille's Angel Gomes, who will be a free agent. (The Guardian)
- Al-Arabi midfielder Marco Verratti could move from one Qatari club to another with Al-Duhail are trying to sign him. (Foot Mercato)
- Aston Villa have started talks with midfielder Boubacar Kamara, 25, over a new contract. (Telegraph)
- West Ham are keen to bring in Udinese centre-back Oumar Solet, but they could face competition from an unnamed Premier League club, Lazio and Internazionale for the 25-year-old. (TEAMtalk)
- Crystal Palace are progressing in talks over a new deal for manager Oliver Glasner, despite interest from RB Leipzig. (Football Insider)
- Bayern Munich are expecting that Tottenham Hotspur trigger the €60m clause to make Mathys Tel's loan permanent so they can sign a striker in the summer transfer window. (Bild)
- Manchester United and Newcastle United will have to pay a transfer fee of at least £50m to sign Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman. (Tuttomercato)
- Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Almeria full-back Marc Pubill. (MARCA)
- AC Milan are keen to make the stay of on-loan Manchester City defender Kyle Walker become permanent, with the club's sporting director set to make the final decision soon. (Calciomercato)
- Several clubs are keeping tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, with Liverpool considering him as a potential future replacement for Darwin Núñez. (Daily Mail)
- Newcastle United are set to dismiss offers for midfielder Sandro Tonali in the summer. The 24-year-old has recently been linked with Barcelona. (Football Insider)
- Talks between Nottingham Forest and Neco Williams are ongoing regarding a new contract amid plans by the Premier League club to ward off interest in the 23-year-old Wales international. (Fabrizio Romano)
- Barcelona goalkeeper Iñaki Peña is on the shortlist of Celta Vigo. (Mundo Deportivo)
- AC Milan want to keep hold of winger Rafael Leão beyond this summer as the club look to move on from several players. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
- A move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma is being considered by Aston VIlla, with manager Unai Emery an "admirer" of the 28-year-old. (TEAMtalk)