Exclusive: 'Fantastic' defender has emerged as a top target for Liverpool after speaking to Virgil van Dijk

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Exclusive with Graeme Bailey

Bolstering their defence has become an important topic for Liverpool in the upcoming transfer windows.

The Reds have been rock solid at the back so far this season but are beginning to look at options for the future as well.

Inarguably the biggest task ahead of Liverpool is replacing captain Virgil van Dijk. Whether Van Dijk stays at Anfield beyond 2025 or not, he is 33 and will not be around forever.

And Rousing The Kop understands that the Reds have been leaning on Van Dijk’s advice as they look to target a new defender for the Liverpool squad.

Having consulted with the captain, as well as Arne Slot, it’s understood that Liverpool have installed Ajax defender Jorrel Hato as a top transfer target for 2025.

Liverpool targeting Jorrel Hato move

While it’s understood that Van Dijk – or Slot’s – endorsement is not the key factor for Liverpool’s interest in Hato, the ability to call on personal knowledge from the Netherlands captain has been important for the Reds.

Slot has also watched the 18-year-old up close in the Eredivisie during his time at Feyenoord.

And RTK understands that this – as well as Liverpool’s extensive recent scouting of Ajax – has led to a strong appreciation of Hato.

As a result, senior sources at Liverpool have confirmed to RTK that the youngster is ‘very high’ on the Reds’ list of potential defensive additions.

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Hato is capable of playing at full-back and with Liverpool looking at several left-backs as Andy Robertson successors, the Netherlands international is seen as a ‘hybrid’ central and left-sided defender.

However, RTK understands that Liverpool – and other interested clubs in Europe – believe that Hato will develop into one of the best centre-backs in world football.

Liverpool see the teenager as a long-term option in the middle of the defence and this is understood to be where they would recruit him to play.

Jorrel Hato emerges as top Liverpool target

If Liverpool needed any further convincing on the qualities of Hato, then they have not only been given it by their current captain, but their former one, too.

Now teammates at Ajax, Jordan Henderson called Hato ‘fantastic‘ within just a month of his arrival in Amsterdam earlier this year.

And it’s easy to see why the youngster is an attractive option for Liverpool.

Slot places a lot of emphasis on his defenders winning duels, and Hato’s record of 60.7% of aerial duels won per 90 minutes in the Eredivisie puts him in the top 25% in the division.

His record of being dribbled past 0.22 times per game is also very impressive, marking him out in the top 15% of Eredivisie defenders.

With 81 games already under his belt for Ajax, Hato’s sample size is big enough to suggest that he is built for bigger things.