Arsenal’s attempt to sign Ajax defender Jorrel Hato has hit a significant hurdle due to Brexit’s impact on football transfers.

As Hato nears a new deal with Ajax, the Gunners face the complexities of post-Brexit immigration rules, adding a layer of difficulty to their transfer ambitions.

Ajax‘s defender Jorrel Hato, a target for Arsenal, has edged closer to agreeing on new contract with his current club, as Arsenal‘s efforts to sign him are stymied by post-Brexit immigration regulations.

The complexities of these regulations have become a significant obstacle for the Gunners, highlighting the challenges English clubs face in the post-Brexit transfer market.

Jorrel Hato, only 17 years old, has been in the spotlight for his impressive performances with Ajax, having captained the team twice this season and made 40 appearances.

His versatility is evident as he primarily plays as a central defender but is also capable of performing as a left-back. Despite Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta‘s interest in strengthening his defence with Hato’s inclusion, the post-Brexit rules have made that impossible this month.

Under these regulations, players under 18 from EU countries are barred from moving directly to English clubs, forcing Arsenal to wait until he turns 18 in March for a potential summer move.

Negotiations on a new contract between Ajax and Hato have accelerated recently, with De Telegraaf reporting that Ajax ‘finally seems to appreciate’ the 17-year-old top talent.

This appreciation has manifested in Ajax approaching an agreement in principle with Hato for a longer contract. Although a final agreement is not expected until March 7, when Hato becomes 18 and can legally sign for more than three years, the likelihood of him staying at Ajax has significantly increased.

Kelvin de Lang, responsible for transfer affairs at Ajax, recently expressed his desire to keep Hato. He told Voetbal International, “We would like him to stay and we have good hope that we will reach an agreement. It may have taken a little too long, but that is more due to all the changes in our management.”

His current contract with Ajax runs until the summer of 2025.

In summary, while Arsenal remains keen on bringing young talents like Jorrel Hato to the Emirates, the new immigration landscape post-Brexit and Ajax‘s proactive approach in securing their talents’ futures have complicated the North London club’s transfer strategies.