PSG eke ahead of Chelsea in Achraf Hakimi transfer race
According to Italian publication Tuttomercato (h/t Mirror), Chelsea are facing the risk of losing out on the signing of Inter Milan defender Achraf Hakimi to PSG this summer.
Having signed for Inter Milan only last summer from Real Madrid, Hakimi has grown into a vital player for the Nerazzurri. The 22-year-old Moroccan international played a key role as they won their first Serie A title in nearly a decade under ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
However, with Inter Milan facing a financial crunch, they are having to sell at least one of their important players, with Hakimi now staring at the exit doors at San Siro. Chelsea and PSG have, thus, expressed an interest in signing the ex-Real Madrid star ahead of the summer transfer window.
In fact, it had been claimed that Chelsea have matched PSG’s offer of £56.1m for Hakimi. However, it is now being said that the Blues could be left behind in the transfer chase as the Parisian giants are already in advanced negotiations with the player over personal terms.
Indeed, Italian journalist Enzo Bucchioni is insisting that Hakimi has already reached an agreement with PSG over a contract worth £7m per year, leaving Chelsea trailing in the race for the Moroccan.
Chelsea have one of the best young right-backs in the country in Reece James at their disposal. However, as far as backup for the Englishman goes, there aren’t many options. Cesar Azpilicueta has largely been used as a centre-half by Thomas Tuchel while the Spaniard is not getting any younger either.
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Callum Hudson-Odoi was tried at right wing-back by Tuchel in the early parts of his tenure at the Bridge but the youngster has fallen down the pecking order as well. So, signing someone like Hakimi would have been a great move by the club. But with PSG now taking a lead, it is important that the Blues act swiftly to sign him up.