Real Madrid finds David Alaba replacement in Chelsea target and it's not Dean Huijsen: Report

2006-born Dutch full-back Jorrel Hato is being seen as the potential replacement for David Alaba by Real Madrid. Like the versatile Austrian captain, Ajax Amsterdam prodigy Hato can operate as a left-back as well as a centre-back. 

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Earlier reports had claimed that Real Madrid had their sight set on Arsenal's French defender William Saliba. The defending La Liga and Champions League winners were labelled the only club in Europe that could make Saliba consider leaving the Emirates. However, even if the Frenchman comes on board, Real Madrid will still require further reinforcements in the backline as the likes of Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger are all nursing injuries. David Alaba too is currently unvailable after suffering a meniscus tear in his left knee.

Who is Jorrel Hato?

Jorrel Hato is one of the teenagers to have got the most playtime in Europe this season alongside the likes of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi and Brighton's Jack Hinshelwood. He arrived at Ajax's youth academy from Sparta in 2018 and is contracted until 2028. The remarkably strong left-footed teenager quickly reached the senior team, earning his debut in 2022 and has so far played 71 times for the Dutch powerhouse.

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Chelsea are also reportedly interested in securing Hato's services, whose market value is €30 million, as per the Transfermarket website. Interestingly, Chelsea and Real Madrid are also tracking Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, another youngster with great potential. Liverpool and Bayern Munich are also actively tracking the Dutch-born Spanish international, multiple reports have said. Xabi Alonso, who is expected to succeed Carlo Ancelotti as the manager at Real Madrid, admires Huijsen and is belived to have communicated with the decision-makers at Santiago Bernabeu that the 20-year-old could be a great addition to the squad. 

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Many Madridistas believe if Xabi decides to enforce his 3-4-3 formation at Madrid, Huijsen and Hato would make the ideal backline for them alongside new-found hero Raul Asencio. However, having failed to land Alphonso Davies from Bayern Munich and losing the Leny Yoro transfer battle to Manchester United, the fans are likely to stay grounded until the deals are confirmed.