FC Barcelona is considering a winter move for Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato, according to reports from Spain.
The 20-year-old Dutch international is one of seven candidates on a list for defensive reinforcement, with a potential loan deal seen as a creative solution for the Catalan club.
The link comes as Barcelona contends with a series of defensive injuries and faces strict financial limitations. The club’s sporting director, Deco, is reportedly exploring options to strengthen the backline in January, with Hato emerging as a serious possibility.
Barcelona’s Defensive Woes Drive Winter Search
Barcelona’s need for a new defender stems from a significant injury crisis that hampered the team in October, as reported by outlets including FCUpdate.nl and Puna.nl.
Head coach Hansi Flick saw his squad decimated by injuries to key players like Eric García, Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen, and Xavi Espart. This vulnerability prompted a rethink after the club focused its summer spending on midfield and attacking signings, with João Cancelo being the only defensive addition.
While a late bid for FC Twente defender Ruud Nijstad failed in September, Flick signaled a change in October, suggesting the La Liga leaders would be open to adding defensive support in the January transfer window. The Catalonian sports daily SPORT, as cited by multiple sources, has now outlined a list of potential targets for Deco, with Hato included among the leading candidates.
Hato’s Profile and Suitability for Barça
SPORT describes Hato as a player with “grote potentie” (great potential), highlighting his versatility as a key asset. The report notes that the young defender “can play both centrally and at left-back,” a flexibility that would be valuable for Barcelona.
While Chelsea has a deep defensive unit featuring Levi Colwell, Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix, and Josh Acheampong, the Spanish outlet suggests that if Hato does not secure regular playing time, a loan agreement could be explored.
The publication adds that Barcelona has a long-standing interest in the player, observing that he is a talented youngster who could be a good fit. However, the report from FootballTransfers.com presents a contrast, stating that the premise of Hato struggling for minutes at Chelsea is inaccurate. The transfer analysis outlet emphasizes that Hato has been a regular starter for the Blues this season under manager Xabi Alonso.
Contradictory Reports on Hato’s Playing Time
There is a clear discrepancy in how Hato’s current situation is portrayed. While SPORT implies he is not a guaranteed starter at Stamford Bridge, other sources paint a different picture. and FCUpdate.nl both confirm that Hato has started six of Chelsea’s nine Premier League matches this season, indicating he is a key part of Alonso’s plans.
🚨🇳🇱 | 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: FC Barcelona are INTERESTED in signing Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato in the January transfer window. The Spanish club are looking to strengthen their defence following Ronald Araújo's departure. 💣 [@sport] pic.twitter.com/Gf004TTb0I
The 20-year-old’s absence from the recent match against Manchester United was due to a back injury, not a lack of form. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed the issue, stating that Hato will be sidelined for the coming weeks.
Consequently, the defender has also been omitted from the Netherlands national team squad for the upcoming international break, as reported by FCUpdate.nl. This temporary injury is not seen as a long-term concern for his club or potential suitors.
Barcelona Faces Financial Limits for a Hato Transfer
Any move for Hato is complicated by Barcelona’s tight financial situation. The club is operating under a strict salary cap, leaving it with a marginal budget of only about four million euros to spend in January unless players are sold first. This reality forces Deco to be creative, with a preference for a loan deal, possibly with an option to buy, over a permanent transfer involving a large fee.
According to FCUpdate.nl and FootballTransfers.com, Barcelona is not prepared to make a major financial commitment for a defender in this window. The club is deferring large spending on the backline until the summer of 2027. This strategy makes a temporary move for a young, developing player like Hato a logical, albeit complex, option for the club.
A Rising Transfer Value
Chelsea’s perspective on any potential deal is also a key factor. The Blues signed Hato from Ajax in the summer of 2025 for a fee of €44 million, and the player’s value has since increased significantly. provides a detailed breakdown of his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV), which currently stands at €58 million.
The outlet traces his value’s progression: from €40 million in September 2026 to €54 million in October, and now nearing his peak value of €60 million from September 2025. This substantial rise in worth makes a cheap deal for the player highly unlikely.
From Chelsea’s viewpoint, a winter loan or a low-cost permanent transfer is considered “everything but realistic,” as FootballTransfers.com puts it. The club would likely only consider a deal that respects Hato’s current market value or one that includes a high loan fee and a mandatory buy clause.
A List of Candidates and Hato’s Place Among Them
Beyond Hato, SPORT has identified six other players being considered by Barcelona for a defensive reinforcement. The list, as reported by Puna.nl and FCUpdate.nl, includes Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Vitor Reis (Manchester City), Piero Hincapié (Arsenal), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Lucas Beraldo (Paris Saint-Germain), and Jonathan Tah (Bayern München).
Each of these players represents a different profile and potential cost. For Barcelona, the appeal of Hato lies in his youth, versatility, and the possibility of a loan structure that fits the club’s financial parameters. However, the competition for his signature is fierce, and any move would have to satisfy both the player’s development needs at Chelsea and Barcelona’s urgent yet budget-conscious requirements at the back.
Why Barcelona Wants Jorrel Hato and His Potential Cost
Why is FC Barcelona interested in Jorrel Hato?
Barcelona is looking to strengthen its defense due to multiple injuries and sees Hato as a versatile young player who can play centrally or at left-back, according to SPORT as cited by Puna.nl.
How much would Hato cost Barcelona?
Chelsea paid €44 million for Hato in 2025, and his Estimated Transfer Value is now €58 million, making a cheap deal unlikely, according to FootballTransfers.com.
Is Jorrel Hato currently playing regularly at Chelsea?
Yes, he started six of nine Premier League matches this season before a recent back injury sidelined him, contrary to some Spanish reports, as noted by FCUpdate.nl.
What is Barcelona’s budget for the January transfer window?
The club has a very tight budget of only about four million euros to spend unless it first sells players, forcing it to seek creative loan deals, FCUpdate.nl and FootballTransfers.com report.
What is the status of Hato’s injury?
Hato is recovering from a back injury and is expected to miss several weeks, which is why he is not with the Netherlands national team, according to Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso as reported by FCUpdate.nl.
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