‘It’s my dream and I hope it will come through one day’: Another Ayax star wants to follow Jurrien Timber’s footsteps to join Arsenal by January
Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato has indicated that he would love to follow in Jurrien Timber’s footsteps at Premier League giants Arsenal after making his breakthrough in the Eredivisie.
Positives have been in very short supply for Ajax this season – bottom of the table and in the midst of their worst ever start to a league campaign – but at least the Johan Cryuff Arena production line continues to churn out readymade, first-team talent.
Jorrel Hato only turned 17 in March but has bene comfortably one of Ajax’s stand-out performers since forcing his way into the XI. Club legend Rafael van der Vaart even went as far as to label the teenager Ajax’s ‘best player’ late last season in conversation with NOS, Hato thriving where £20 million acquisition Calvin Bassey failed.
Jorrel Hato dreams of potential Arsenal move
And while Hato is aiming high, his confidence certainly does not appear misplaced.
“I want to win the Champions League, be a starter for the Dutch national team for as long as possible, and I hope that one day people will say; ‘Hato was one of the best defenders of his generation’,” the Ajax academy graduate tells ELF Voetbal
Hato does not need to look far for inspiration either. Jurrien Timber, the man he has replaced at the heart of the Ajax backline, secured a £38 million move to Arsenal after making his name in the Netherlands.
‘Wonderful’ move for Jurrien Timber
“Unfortunately, he was seriously injured in his first Premier League match for Arsenal, but he is still young and has a bright future ahead of him,” Hato adds. “In any case, the move to Arsenal was a wonderful one for him.
“It is also my dream of one day making such a transfer. But I realise that I still have a very long way to go.”
Timber has not been since rupturing his ACL on the opening day of the Premier League campaign against Nottingham Forest in August. Reporter Chris Wheatly, however, believes a January return is not out of the question.
