Chelsea have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Achraf Hakimi and continue to be in talks with Inter Milan over a summer deal for the 22-year-old.
According to reputed Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Chelsea seem to have inched closer to signing Achraf Hakimi in the summer transfer window. The Blues have verbally agreed terms with the 22-year-old Moroccan defender and continue to be in talks with Serie A champions Inter Milan, who want €50 million plus Marcos Alonso as part of the deal.
Achraf Hakimi has made quite a name for himself in the last three years. The youngster first went on to establish himself as one of the most enterprising young full-backs in the game during his two-year loan spell at Borussia Dortmund and has only gone from strength to strength since joining Inter Milan from Real Madrid on a permanent deal last summer.
In 45 appearances across all competitions, the 22-year-old had a return of seven goals and 11 assists to show for his efforts, playing a key role in the Nerazzurri’s Serie A title triumph. However, with Inter Milan in a world of trouble financially, Hakimi could be on the move again in order to help the Italian giants balance their books. And Chelsea are one of the clubs alerted to his availability.
Recent reports have gone as far as suggesting that Chelsea are leading the race to sign the youngster ahead of PSG. The interest in the former Real Madrid defender is interesting, considering Reece James is widely regarded as one of the most promising young full-backs in the Premier League.
However, with captain Cesar Azpilicueta largely being utilised as a centre-back in a three-man unit, Thomas Tuchel does not have any other natural option for the right wing-back slot. Callum Hudson-Odoi was briefly deployed as a makeshift option, but it now looks like the Chelsea boss wants a more natural candidate at his disposal to rotate with James.
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To that end, Hakimi is a viable target for Chelsea, who are prepared to offer a player in the deal to sign the 22-year-old. That is exactly what Inter Milan seem to want as well, with the Nerazzurri demanding Marcos Alonso plus €50 million to part ways with their prized possession.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign Hakimi this summer and with Alonso facing an uncertain future at San Siro, a deal could well be engineered. Inter’s interest in Alonso is understandable as well, following Ashley Young’s move to Aston Villa. What now remains to be seen is if Chelsea do indeed move even closer to signing Hakimi, or if PSG can prise him away.
