Achraf Hakimi was a transfer target for Chelsea (imago Images)
According to news from Sky Sport Italia’s transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio (h/t Sempre Inter), Chelsea have joined the likes of Bayern Munich and PSG in the race to sign Inter Milan defender Achraf Hakimi.
Hakimi came through the ranks at the Real Madrid academy and made his senior debut in 2017. However, it was during his two-year loan stint with Borussia Dortmund that the Moroccan truly announced himself on the biggest stage, before sealing a permanent transfer to Inter Milan in the summer last year.
Having signed for the Italian giants, Hakimi went on to essay a critical role as the Nerazzurri went on to lift their first Serie A crown in eleven years, guided by former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. Despite their title success, Inter Milan are mired in financial difficulties and may be forced to cash in on their key players in the summer.
Hakimi enjoyed a fine 2020/21 campaign, finishing with an amazing tally of seven goals and ten assists from just 37 Serie A outings. And, it is this sort of attacking output that has now put him on the radars of some of the top clubs including PSG, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
Chelsea have Reece James as the preferred option for the right wing-back slot currently with captain Cesar Azpilicueta providing backup, along with Callum Hudson-Odoi as well. However, with Azpilicueta not getting any younger, it would make sense for the club to shore up options in the full-back/wing-back slots.
Hakimi, thus, would be an excellent option as he can provide cover on both right and left flanks, meaning there will be added competition for both James and Ben Chilwell.
Inter Milan, though, will hold out for a transfer fee in the region of €70-€90 million, which is likely to make any deal a difficult proposition.
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