Chelsea close to €40m deal for Ajax’s Jorrel Hato as Nottingham Forest keen on Adama Traoré

Chelsea are also understood to be confident of agreeing a deal for Xavi Simons.

ON THE MOVE?: Fulham's Adama Traore celebrates scoring.

Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Jorrel Hato from Ajax and have opened talks with RB Leipzig over a move for his Netherlands teammate, Xavi Simons.

It is understood that personal terms have been agreed with Hato, a defender who has made more than 100 appearances for Ajax’s first team despite only turning 19 in March. Negotiations with the Dutch side over a fee of around €40m (£35m) are believed to be in the final stages, with Enzo Maresca hoping to add to his options at left-back and in central defence.

Hato, who in 2023 became the youngest player to captain Ajax aged 17 and made his senior international debut a few weeks later, is capable of filling both roles and is regarded as one of Europe’s brightest prospects. He was part of the Netherlands Under-21 side that were defeated in the semi-finals of the European Championship in Slovakia last month and has won six senior caps.

Chelsea, who have already signed Liam Delap, João Pedro and Jamie Gittens this summer, are also understood to be confident of agreeing a deal for Simons.

The 22-year-old forward, who is capable of playing in several attacking roles, joined Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain in January for €50m after two successful loan spells and it is expected that he could cost up to €70m.

Simons has also attracted interest from Bayern Munich but is thought to prefer a move to the Premier League.

Chelsea have already sanctioned the departures of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke and Djordje Petrovic and have agreed a £44m deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for João Felix.

Elsewhere Nottingham Forest are interested in signing the Fulham winger Adama Traoré. If a deal can be done for the 29-year-old it would see him reunite with Nuno Espírito Santo, who he worked under at Wolves.

After selling Anthony Elanga and Ramón Sosa, Forest have been eager to recruit new wingers. A club-record deal was agreed for Bologna’s Dan Ndoye on Monday, with the Switzerland international set to join this week after a medical is completed. Personal terms are not thought to be an issue for Ndoye, who turned down the chance of moving to Serie A champions Napoli in favour of the Premier League.

Traoré has spent the past two seasons at Craven Cottage after joining on a free transfer from Wolves, where he worked under Nuno for three years, helping them finish seventh twice. The Portuguese is a huge admirer of Traoré and is pushing for a deal to be completed.

Traoré played 36 times for Fulham last season, scoring twice and creating a further seven goals to help Marco Silva’s men finish 11th The potential arrival of Traoréconsidered one of the quickest players in the Premier League, would help negate the loss of Elanga, who joined Newcastle for £55m earlier in the window.

Going into their first European campaign in 30 years, Forest are also considering increasing their bid for James McAtee after seeing an opening offer of £20m plus £5m in add-ons rejected by Manchester City for the England Under-21 midfielder.

Leicester City, meanwhile, have signed the goalkeeper Asmir Begovic on a one-year contract. The 38-year-old was a free agent after leaving Everton at the end of last season and last played in the Championship for Queens Park Rangers in 2023-24.

Begovic, who played for Bournemouth, Chelsea and Stoke in the Premier League, reunites with head coach Marti Cifuentes, who worked with him at QPR. Begovic is Leicester’s first summer signing with the club hamstrung by financial parameters.

Their No 1 goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen, has top-flight interest.

Guardian