Chelsea signing targeted for January move just six months after £35.5m transfer

Ajax are exploring the possibility of re-signing Jorrel Hato on loan from Chelsea in the January transfer window, according to reports in the Netherlands.

Hato departed Ajax to join Chelsea for an initial fee of £35.5million in the summer, with the Dutchman putting pen to paper on a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

But while Hato touched down in English football with weighty expectations on his shoulders, the 19-year-old but has so far struggled to make an impact in west London, making just two starts in the Premier League.

Since his shaky performance against Qarabag in the Europa League, fitness problems have meant Hato has been limited to just one solitary appearance, which came in the side’s Carabao Cup victory over Cardiff.

Despite his mixed start, Hato is highly thought of by Chelsea’s hierarchy and Enzo Maresca remains confident that the versatile youngster – who covers both left-back and centre-back – can go on and be a key asset for the club.

With Hato struggling for regular game-time with the Blues, there has been some talk and speculation that the Netherlands international should be allowed to leave on a temporary basis next month.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf claim Hato is ‘clearly the number one on Ajax’s list’, with the Eredivisie outfit looking to strengthen at left-back just six months after letting the defender leave for Chelsea.

However, the report claims it is ‘questionable’ as to whether Chelsea would be willing to loan Hato back to his former club midway through the campaign.

Burnley’s Quilindschy Hartman, Everton’s Adam Aznou, Utrecht’s Souffian El Karouani and Como’s Ignace Van Der Brempt are also on Ajax’s shortlist should Chelsea decide to block Hato’s exit.

Hato’s current contract with the Club World Cup holders runs through to June 2032.

Earlier this month, Maresca confirmed that Hato had been in line to make his comeback from injury for Chelsea in the side’s Premier League meeting with Newcastle.

But Hato suffered another frustrating setback during Chelsea’s warm-up at St James’ Park and it’s unclear when the teenager will be able to return to the fold.

Asked whether Hato could return to the squad for Chelsea’s upcoming match against Bournemouth, Maresca told reporters on Monday: ‘I don’t think so, no, I don’t think so.’

Before Chelsea’s Champions League win over Ajax back in October, John Heitinga – Ajax’s then manager – suggested Hato’s peripheral role summed up difference in strength between the two squads.

‘They have a lot of quality in every position,’ Heitinga told reporters at the time.

‘To name one example, Jorrel Hato was one of our best players at Ajax.

‘He is bought by Chelsea and he is sitting here on the bench. He hardly plays.

‘That says a lot about this Chelsea team, about the quality, because Jorrel was a difference-maker for us.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.