Ajax are working to tie Jorrel Hato down to a new contract as Arsenal prepare for a summer move, according to a report.

Simon Collings reports for The Standard that Ajax are working on a new contract for Jorrel Hato, as they prepare for summer interest from Arsenal and other top European clubs.

If Hato doesn’t extend his deal, he’ll be in the final year of his contract this summer, but Ajax remain hopeful they can persuade him to stay beyond the summer.

Hato turns 18 next month, which has been a key factor in the transfer saga so far.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein explained in January that Arsenal did like Hato, but that the player couldn’t move before he was 18.

Ornstein confirmed that the Dutch club are trying to renew Hato’s contract, with Ajax technical director Kelvin de Lang also reiterating that they want the player to stay.

“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 in early January.

“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.”

As a left-sided defender, The Athletic reported in December that 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.

Hato 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.”

Hato has made 34 appearances for Ajax this season, racking up over 3,000 minutes. After a distrastrous start to the campaign, Ajax have rallied to move up to fifth in the Eredivisie table.