Jorrel Hato is the next key player who might leave Ajax for the Premier League

Although the transfer window has just ended and Hato will definitely play in Amsterdam until January, Liverpool is already preparing for the upcoming transfer window. The club of Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and now also Ryan Gravenberch is closely monitoring the development of the Rotterdam native.

Hato 'benefited' last season from the turmoil at Ajax, allowing the central defender to get his chance in the starting line-up under John Heitinga at just sixteen years old. Due to the massive exodus this summer at Ajax, Hato has suddenly become one of the longest-serving players in the Amsterdam squad. Hato's departure could therefore impact the group dynamics, especially since Ajax brought in as many as twelve new players during the last transfer window.

Seven months after his Eredivisie debut against SC Cambuur (5-0), he made his starting debut for Jong Oranje (Young Netherlands) and was subsequently linked to the Dutch national team by one of the greatest Dutch footballers of all time. Hato is mentioned in the same breath as Matthijs de Ligt, so it won't be long before European powerhouses start vying for Hato's services.

Hato will only celebrate his eighteenth birthday in March next year, and experts would advise him to stay with Ajax for a few more years. After all, he knows what he has in Amsterdam. If he continues playing like this, he'll be indispensable in the Ajax starting lineup, and this season he can take his first steps in the Europa League. If he wants to test himself at the very highest level, then Ajax will need to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League this season. If Steijn's team doesn't succeed in that and Hato still wants to play in the prestigious Champions League and is bold enough to make that move, then, according to SciSports data, there are interesting options available.