Liverpool chase ‘generational talent’ tipped to be the next Jurrien Timber
Arne Slot may already have one eye on the summer transfer window as Liverpool’s domestic season nears a conclusion.
With the Premier League coming to an end, Liverpool now look certain to lift the title.
This has allowed the club to undergo preparations for the next campaign, with targets now being drawn up for the summer.
Speculation regarding multiple Liverpool stars such as Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold has mounted in recent weeks with their contracts set to expire in the summer.
While Van Dijk looks set to remain at Anfield now, Slot may have some more centre-back reinforcement in mind.
Liverpool target Jorrel Hato tipped to join the Premier League this summer
Ajax defender Jorrel Hato is reportedly one of the names on Liverpool’s radar for the summer transfer window.
Hato is seen as one of the brightest talents in Europe at the moment.
The 19-year-old centre-back broke into the Ajax team in 2022 and has since become a regular in the Dutch giants’ squad.
His performances in the Netherlands have seen him described as a “generational talent’ by The Athletic.
As a result, Ajax now look set to win the Eredivisie despite only finishing fifth last season.
Now, with the summer transfer window approaching, Liverpool are the latest club to be linked with Hato, but face competition from Arsenal.
Speaking to TBR Football, journalist Graeme Bailey said: “Zinchenko will be allowed to leave, although that will be easier said that done considering his wages and Tierney is going.
“Jorrel Hato is still a player they love – they’ve done all the work on him for years – they’ve been following him since he was 16. Liverpool like him as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if Hato came to England this year.”
Jorrel Hato seen as the next Jurrien Timber
While Van Dijk is no doubt the best defender in the Premier League, Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber is also one of the top players in this position, though his injury record has not been the best since moving to North London.
Given that both Timber and Hato have come through Ajax’s academy, the two players make an easy comparison.
However, no matter what happens with Van Dijk this summer, Liverpool do need a long-term replacement for their ever-present centre-back who turns 34 in July.
With Hato only being 19, this presents the Reds with a fantastic opportunity to shape the youngster into one of the best defenders in the world.
Dutch expert Kevin Lux believes that Hato “has the making of a world-class defender” when analysing the youngster, while also making a comparison to Timber.
He stated in November: “The impact Hato has made so far is the fact that he seems to be very mature for his age. He is just 18 years old, but his physique is years ahead of him. He also has a lot of technical ability in his game, a quality that makes you very popular in Dutch football as a defender.
“He can dribble, pass and see the game from the defensive line. Apart from that, he still shows the talent of a great defender.
“There are still some flaws and mistakes in his game, but that’s not unusual considering his age. He also is a born leader, proven by the fact that he already was captain at Ajax youth levels on several occasions. He has all the qualities of a potential world-class defender.
“Hato is very comparable with Arsenal defender Timber. Strong in defence, good vision and good passing. He likes to build attacks from the defensive line.”