It looks like those news reports are referring to Jorrel Hato, the young Dutch defender currently at Ajax:
- Chelsea have reportedly made official contact with Ajax over Hato, who is the club’s top defensive target this summer.
- Several outlets state that personal terms have been agreed and a deal of around £40 million is close to being finalized—signalling that this would be Chelsea’s eighth signing of the summer window 🔹 What this means
Chelsea have already secured seven confirmed signings for the 2025–26 season. These include Mike Penders, Dário Essugo, Liam Delap, Mamadou Sarr, Kendry Páez, João Pedro, and Jamie Bynoe‑Gittens .
Hato’s imminent arrival would bring that total to eight, fitting the description of “closing in on eighth signing.”
🧾 Summary Table
| Position | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Defender (Ajax → Chelsea) | Jorrel Hato | Deal close; personal terms agreed; approx. £40 m fee |
| Other confirmed signings (7) | Essugo, Delap, Sarr, Páez, Pedro, Gittens, Penders | All completed |
⚽ Why Hato matters
Chelsea’s new manager Enzo Maresca appears to be constructing a youth-focused rebuild. Hato (19) offers versatility in defence, able to play centre‑back or left‑back, and is seen as a long-term solution to several defensive departures.
✅ Final Takeaway
Yes—multiple sources confirm that Chelsea are on the brink of finalizing their eighth summer signing in the form of Jorrel Hato, with both club negotiations and personal terms reportedly in advanced stages.
