Chelsea have reached an agreement over personal terms with the young defender, who has informed Ajax of his desire to make the move this summer, but an opening bid has already been rejected. While Ajax are prepared to sell, they want to maximise their returns for one of Europe’s top defensive prospects.

Chelsea are closing in on a deal worth more than 40m euros (£34.8m) to sign 19-year-old Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax. (Athletic - subscription required)

Jorrel Hato might be young, but the Dutch centre-back is used to taking responsibility in Amsterdam, as The Athletic found out last year