Ajax are trying to extend Jorrel Hato’s contract amid interest from Arsenal, according to their technical director.

Ajax technical director Kelvin de Lang says the club want Jorrel Hato to stay, and they’re hopeful they’ll be able to convince him to do so.

Hato has been linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, but the 17-year-old’s current club clearly haven’t given up hope of retaining him.

“We would like him to stay and we are also hopeful that we will get it out of him,” de Lang said of Hato’s potential new contract this week.

“It may have taken too long, but there have also been changes in our management. But I am hopeful that we will get it out of him.”

Following recent reports linking Arsenal with an interest in Hato, The Athletic confirmed that the Gunners do like the Ajax 17-year-old.

As a left-sided defender, Hato would work on the opposite side to Jurrien Timber. Arsenal believe similarities between their own playstyle and Ajax’s make the adaptation between the two clubs a bit easier.

But Hato wouldn’t come cheap, and The Athletic conclude that Arsenal might decide they need someone more experienced to help the team in the second half of the season.

The Gunners’ interest in Hato had initially been broken by Arsenal insiders on Twitter.

The player admitted in October that he’d like to follow in the footsteps of Timber, saying: “The move to Arsenal was a wonderful one for him.

“It is also my dream to one day make such a transfer, but I realize that I still have a very long way to go.”

Despite his age, Hato is already a starter for Ajax, making 25 appearances and racking up well over 2,000 minutes this season.

The defender can play at centre-back or left-back, and he’s even made his international debut for the Netherlands.

Hato has a contract with Ajax until 2025, so he’s now in the final 18 months of his deal.