Arsenal remain keen and interested in Jorrel Hato, and they may try again for him this summer despite his Ajax contract extension.

Ajax's Jorrel Hato (C) celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal during the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Vitesse Arhem at the Johan-Cruijff ArenA on November 25, 2023 in Amsterdam. (Photo by OLAF KRAAK/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
Ajax’s Jorrel Hato (C) celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal during the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Vitesse Arhem at the Johan-Cruijff ArenA on November 25, 2023 in Amsterdam. (Photo by OLAF KRAAK/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano reports in his Daily Briefing that Jorrel Hato could be one to watch for Arsenal, with the Gunners remaining ‘absolutely’ keen and interested in the Ajax defender.

Ajax want to keep the player around, hence their decision to hand him a new contract to 2028.

But Hato remains high on Arsenal’s list of transfer priorities, and Romano suggests the Gunners may try again for the player after they’re done with the title race.

FC Volendam's Dutch defender #26 Deron Payne (L) fights for the ball with Ajax's Dutch defender #04 Jorrel Hato during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and FC Volendam at The Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam on November 2, 2023. (Photo by OLAF KRAAK/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
FC Volendam’s Deron Payne (L) fights for the ball with Ajax’s Jorrel Hato during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and FC Volendam at The Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam on November 2, 2023. (Photo by OLAF KRAAK/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Romano previously claimed the Gunners believe they’re the frontrunners for Hato’s signing. An eventual deal might not be this summer, but he remains an Arsenal priority whenever he’s available.

He added on Twitter that Arsenal have already been scouting Hato for months, and they continue to do so.

Ajax’s financial situation could help, with the club missing out on Champions League football and not even guaranteed to qualify for the Europa League next season.

Ajax's Dutch defender #04 Jorrel Hato (L) fights for the ball with AEK's Moroccan midfielder #05 Noureddine Amrabat during the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 2 Group B football match between AEK Athens and Ajax Amsterdam at the Agia Sophia Stadium in Athens on October 5, 2023. (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Ajax’s Jorrel Hato (L) fights for the ball with AEK’s Noureddine Amrabat during the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 2 Group B football match between AEK Athens and Ajax Amsterdam at the Agia Sophia Stadium in Athens on October 5, 2023. (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Athletic’s David Ornstein explained in January that Arsenal liked Hato for a winter transfer, but that the player couldn’t move before he was 18. He turned 18 in March.

Hence Arsenal had to wait, giving Ajax enough time to convince the youngster to stick around.

Hato has made 46 appearances for Ajax this season, racking up well over 4,000 minutes.

After a distrastrous start to the campaign, Ajax have rallied to move up to fifth in the Eredivisie table, but they’ve left it too late to push up into the top four.