Ajax left-back Jorrel Hato has revealed that he has been in touch with Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber to ask for advice on his position change.

Hato came through the ranks as a centre-half, but he has been playing as a fullback this campaign, and he says that he’s leaned on his “role model” Timber to help him adapt:

“I think I’ve improved a lot this season, especially at left-back. Last season I played a lot as a center-back, but this season I’m just a left-back.”

“Yes, I did talk to Jurrien about that [position change]. He made his debut as a full-back and left as a central defender. And now at Arsenal, he plays everywhere in the back! He’s definitely a role model for me.”

Hato is an Arsenal target

The teenager has been on the Gunners’ radar for several years. There were reports that the club were preparing a bid prior to him signing a new contract with Ajax in March last year.

Mikel Arteta’s side went on to buy Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for £42m instead but TBRFootball claim that Hato remains a player of interest.

There will be competition for the defender

Liverpool are also known to be keeping tabs on Hato, with the Reds reportedly looking to reinforce their options at both centre-back and left-back.

The Netherlands international’s asking price is believed to be in the region of £40m so it remains to be seen whether Arsenal would be prepared to pay that much, considering they are focusing their efforts on strengthening different positions.

Sporting director Andrea Berta is said to be keen on signing a new striker, a left-winger and a midfielder. Although the Gunners have a sizeable transfer budget, it doesn’t seem likely that they would devote a sizeable portion of it to bringing in Hato.

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