Arsenal have followed Chelsea in making an inquiry over the availability of Ajax teenager Jorrel Hato, with talks ongoing.
The 19-year-old defender has already amassed an impressive amount of experience, playing 111 times for Ajax, scoring four goals.
The versatile youngster, who can operate at centre-back or left-back, has also picked up six caps for Netherlands and has established himself as one of the best young defenders in Europe.
The teenager has been linked with the Premier League in the past, with Liverpool touted as suitors in January.
Interest has not died down, with Chelsea and Arsenal circling for his signature this summer.
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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea were first to inquire and Arsenal have now followed suit.
Littler more information has emerged at this stage and talks are not in an advanced stage, but they are ongoing, according to the report.
Liverpool did appear to be leading the race to sign Hato January when he was spotted in the Anfield stands as the Reds beat Ipswich 4-1.
‘I am not leaving in the winter and want to finish the season at Ajax,’ he said in January.
‘I also read the reports and know that not everything is true. For my development, it is best that I stay at Ajax now.
‘I was invited by Ryan Gravenberch. I didn’t speak to a director there. Liverpool played well and the atmosphere in the stadium was good, but that’s all I can say.’
Hato made his Eredivisie debut for Ajax at just 16 years and 335 days, which made him the third youngest to do so in the club’s history behind Gravenberch and Clarence Seedorf.
He was quickly making the step up to international football and made his Netherlands debut as a 17-year-old against Gibraltar.
Manager Ronald Koeman said: ‘I was able to assess him better in the training sessions.
‘There he had to defend Wout Weghorst and other attackers. I really liked that. He adapted very easily and plays with bravado. It’s nice that you can let those kinds of boys make their debut.’
Chelsea and Arsenal competing for defensive targets
The Blues and the Gunners are also both looking at Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi this summer.
The 24-year-old has just one year left on his contract and will be available for much less than the £70m the Eagles were asking last summer, a price which ultimately put interested parties off.
Both teams had also been interested in Dean Huijsen before he completed a £50m move from Bournemouth to Real Madrid.