Liverpool, who were also targeting left-footed centre-backs last summer, have made serious moves this summer, when Joel Matip left the club and the number of defenders has been reduced, with the names of a huge variety of targets hitting the media.
Among them is 18-year-old defender Jorrel Hato, who made 46 appearances for Ajax last season and has emerged as one of the most promising prospects in the Netherlands, with Liverpool and Arsenal reportedly interested at one stage.
Although no one has managed to acquire the defender at the moment, Ben Jacobs (sports journalist) has revealed the backstory of how both Liverpool and Arsenal were keen on acquiring the player, but withdrew from the battle because the player did not want to move on.
“Liverpool do want a centre-back in that position [left-sided] and it would be a surprise if the window shuts and they don’t get one,”
“They would have loved to bring in Jorrel Hato from Ajax very early in the window and Arsenal were looking at him, too.”
“But Liverpool never advanced that, it was one of those links that never materialised because they felt like the player would stay at Ajax. Then Arsenal were more serious and again they felt exactly the same thing.”
Forest Fan TV