19-year-old Dutch centre-back replaces Van Dijk British media: Liverpool plan to sign Hato for £40 million

Real Madrid has been scheduled to sign Alexander-Arnold without signing Liverpool in addition to Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk's contracts also expire at the end of this season, and none of the three have completed the renewal of their contracts with Liverpool, which means that Liverpool's three main players are likely to leave this summer.

According to the latest news from British media Football Insider, Liverpool plan to sign Ajax's 19-year-old Dutch centre-back Hato for a transfer fee of £40 million this summer window, in preparation for Van Dijk's free departure in this summer window.

The British media said that the 19-year-old Hato's outstanding performance at Ajax has attracted the attention of many giants in Europe's top five leagues, for which Ajax has set a price tag of 40 million pounds for Hato, and Liverpool is very interested in Hato. It is reported that Liverpool have agreed to Ajax's price tag, believing that the £40 million signing of 19-year-old Hato to replace Van Dijk is in line with market pricing. Once the summer window opens this year, Liverpool will be quick and full on signing Hato as Van Dijk's successor. Liverpool boss Slott strongly recommended Dutchman Hato and believes that bringing in Hato can reduce the pressure on the team to renew Van Dijk's contract, in case negotiations fail, Van Dijk will leave the team this summer; If the contract is successfully renewed, Van Dijk will stay in the team, and the 33-year-old Van Dijk can "pass on" the 19-year-old Dutch compatriot Hato and gradually complete the succession.

Hato came through the Ajax academy and was promoted to the first team last season and has gradually settled into the main defender position.

The 19-year-old Hato, a 1.82-meter-tall, left-footed player who can play at left-back and centre-back, has a contract with Ajax until 2028 and is worth 30 million euros. Hato has made 43 appearances for Ajax in all competitions so far this season, 41 of which have been starts, contributing three goals and six assists, and is a 'knife' defender.