Chelsea and PSG are said to be the frontrunners in signing full-back Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
Hakimi has been tipped to move out of Inter this summer as the Italian side look to balance their books before the 2021/22 season kicks off.
The journalist said on The Football Terrace show: “Hakimi, we all know, he’s definitely a top target for Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel. We all know about the financial problems that Inter Milan find themselves in right now, and it looks like Hakimi will be sacrificed by the Italian champions to try and raise some funds.
“They are holding out for around €70m (£59.9m) for the Morocco international. Chelsea so far I think have bid around €60m (£51.3m) plus that offer of Marcos Alonso.
“If I was a betting man, I think this deal will get done, I think he will be a Chelsea player come the start of next season.
“I just think Inter’s financial problems mean they can’t hold out too much longer for any bids that come in for this defender.”
Earlier this week, there were reports that Chelsea have made a cash-plus-player to sign Achraf Hakimi. The Blues are ready to pay €60 million-plus Marcos Alonso in exchange for the Inter man.
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Inter have been linked with Alonso this summer so there’s every chance the Italian side snub interest from PSG and hand the full-back to the Premier League side.
Chelsea already have Reece James amongst their ranks so this interest in Hakimi could be a big problem for the England international since the Moroccon international is a specialized right wing-back and if he is arriving at the club then James might fall down the pecking order next season.
But having said all this, Chelsea will have to fend off PSG in this transfer race and Pochettino’s side will not back off easily especially when they have a massive transfer budget.
