Chelsea are going head-to-head with Paris Saint Germain for Inter Milan wing-back Achraf Hakimi. According to a report by Goal’s journalist Nizaar Kinsella, the Blues have offered Internazionale players plus cash in exchange for wing-back Achraf Hakimi.
The Moroccan is a long-term target of the London club, and they hope to add him to their Champions League-winning squad this summer. However, Paris Saint-Germain is in for Hakimi’s signature as well, as they look to strengthen their right-back spot.
Reports indicate that Chelsea have put themselves in a strong position to complete the deal for Hakimi by offering Inter a couple of players. Marcos Alonso is one name that the Nerazzurri are keen on, while Davide Zappacosta is another player on offer. Some previous reports claimed that the Blues were willing to part ways with even Emerson Palmieri and Mateo Kovacic in a bid to bring Hakimi to Stamford Bridge. The make-weights – hopes the club – will reduce the price Inter have set for their key asset.
Currently, the Milanese side is demanding 80 million euros from clubs to sign the Moroccan – a figure neither Chelsea nor PSG have matched yet. The Serie A winners are in financial distress and need to move some of their key players on. Thus the exit of Hakimi is inevitable rather than optional.
Reports also suggest that PSG have had a bid rejected for Hakimi previously, as it did not match Inter’s expectations. However, RMC journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi reported on June 18 that the Parisiens remain in pursuit of the wing-back, whose preference is to move to Paris instead of London.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are also looking to sign a striker in the current transfer window. The Blues have been previously linked with Inter’s Romelu Lukaku. However, those rumors were shut down by the player himself. Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland are two of their potential targets but will derive a mammoth fee.