Chelsea have failed with an opening bid for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, reports in the Netherlands have revealed, but have received a counter proposal. The Blues were active early in the transfer window,

Ajax have rejected Chelsea 's first bid for star defender Jorrel Hato, sources have told ESPN. ESPN reported on Wednesday that Chelsea made an offer for the 19-year-old to strengthen their backline ahead of the new Premier League season, but sources have told ESPN that it has been rebuffed.

Front page news in the Netherlands: Ajax have rejected the “first official offer” from Chelsea for Jorrel Hato. But that’s just the beginning of the dance of course.