Transfer News: Chelsea increase bid to sign Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan
According to transfer news from Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (h/t Express), Chelsea have upped their offer for Inter Milan ace Achraf Hakimi as they look to beat PSG to his signing.
Having signed for Inter Milan only last summer from Real Madrid, the 22-year-old has become an integral player for the club. Hakimi played a pivotal part in the 2020/21 campaign as the Nerazzurri went on to lift the Serie A title, ending Juventus’ hegemony in Italy.
However, despite their success, Inter are blighted with financial problems and need to make at least £70m this summer from player sales in order to balance the books. With star striker, Romelu Lukaku committed to the club, it is the likes of Hakimi and Lautaro Martinez who could be sold by the Italian champions. (h/t Express)
Hakimi has, thus, emerged as a transfer target for Chelsea as well as PSG. Initially, the Blues were claimed to have matched the French outfit’s offer for the 22-year-old. But they have now upped their bid in order to beat Les Parisiens to the signing of the Moroccan international. (h/t Express)
To that end, Chelsea have now submitted a bid of £43m while also offering out-of-favour full-back Emerson Palmieri as part of a player-plus-cash deal.
In addition to that, the Blues are also mulling over the possibility of offering another player as part of the deal with Davide Zappacosta, Mateo Kovacic and Tammy Abraham the three names under consideration.
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Inter Milan, though, are keen on a cash-upfront deal as it would help them clear their debts while player exchange deals could complicate matters in terms of contracts for the incoming stars. It now remains to be seen if they do accept Chelsea’s latest offer or stay firm on their demand of a cash-only deal.