Ajax defender Jorrel Hato has insisted he is not on the verge of joining Liverpool, despite being spotted at Anfield in the win over Ipswich Town.
De Telegraaf cover comments from the defender today in a pre-match press conference, during which he was asked about his future.
Reports this week have linked him with a move to Liverpool and Real Madrid, with the 18-year-old considered one of the rising stars of Dutch football.
Rumours about a move to Liverpool were fuelled by the fact that the defender was spotted in stands at Anfield for the weekend’s win over Ipswich Town. This was taken by some as a sign that he was in active negotiations with Arne Slot’s side.
Hato, though, wants to shoot the whole thing down and insists he was only watching Liverpool at the weekend because Ryan Gravenberch invited him to do so.
“I read it all,” he said regarding the transfer rumours.
“But I also know that not everything was right. For my development it’s best that I stay at Ajax now. I was invited by Ryan Gravenberch.
“But I didn’t speak to a director there. Liverpool played well and the atmosphere in the stadium was good, but there is no more to say.”
That, then, should put an end to any suggestions Hato will be moving on before the end of the transfer window.
Of course, that doesn’t mean there won’t be rumours between now and the summer and it certainly seems Hato is on the radar for several big clubs.
Whether Liverpool are one of them remains to be seen and if he is spotted at Anfield again, we can assume that Gravenberch has simply invited him again.
