Inter Milan full-back Achraf Hakimi has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea this summer but the Blues are finding it really hard to close this particular deal.
Thomas Tuchel seems very much interested in signing the Moroccon international and despite interest from PSG, it’s Chelsea who are said to be the frontrunners in signing him.
Now while talking about Achraf Hakimi and his future with Inter Milan, journalist Ian McGarry has revealed the two reasons why the Blues are yet to land the full-back.
Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, McGarry said, as quoted: “Chelsea are another club who are engaged in attempts to bring players to the club in order to mount a Premier League challenge next season.
“Achraf Hakimi, the Inter Milan full-back, is high on their list. They’ve proposed swap deal with Emerson Palmieri as part of the deal.
“Contrary to reports that it’s not been done because Chelsea are refusing to pay the €65m asking price, we understand that’s not the case. The reason is two fold.
“One is Inter are very keen on taking Andreas Christensen as well as Emerson Palmieri to the San Siro but Tuchel has been pleasantly surprised by Christensen’s form and has grown to like him. He believes he is playing well in Euro 2020.
“He’s not keen to dispose of Christensen. Emerson, however, has made a total of 15 appearances in his three years at Chelsea.
“The second reason the deal is being held up is because Emerson wants the full year remaining on his contract paid 100 per cent. Normally when a player doesn’t ask for a transfer and is asked to leave a club, the rule of thumb is you will be compensated to around 70 or 80 per cent of the contract.
View this post on Instagram
“They are the two reasons the deal is being held up.”
Some rumours claim Inter Milan are holding out for around €70m while others are claiming that Chelsea have offered Marcos Alonso and not Emerson as part of the swap deal.
So clearly this whole situation has turned into one massive information mess with various updates following in from all directions. And as things stand it’s really hard to figure out which ones true.
But amidst all this chaos, one thing’s for certain. Chelsea are pretty serious about signing Achraf Hakimi and unless PSG make a crazy offer, the Inter Milan man looks set to join the Premier League outfit this summer.
