Chelsea face competition from PSG to sign Inter defender Achraf Hakimi
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Chelsea are interested in signing the Internazionale full-back Achraf Hakimi but face serious competition from Paris Saint-Germain, who have already made a first offer of €60m (£51.8m).
Inter are holding out for €80m but may have to settle for less. The Serie A side are in desperate need to raise funds and the manager, Antonio Conte, left shortly after leading them to the league title because of the desire to sell key players.
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The Moroccan international joined Inter from Real Madrid last summer and was an integral part of the side who won Serie A for the first time in 11 years in May.
Chelsea are yet to make a formal offer and are unlikely to match Inter’s asking price. Thomas Tuchel is keen to add to his squad this summer and the arrival of Hakimi would have a knock-on effect on several players already at the club.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has been playing at wing-back and generally been out of favour under Tuchel, is one squad member who could see his opportunities limited further. The 20-year-old forward would like to stay at Chelsea but the club would listen to offers for him.
Tino Livramento is another player who could see his path to the first team severely restricted if Chelsea sign Hakimi. Aston Villa are one of the clubs looking at the highly rated 18-year-old, who may leave this summer because of a lack of opportunities.
Signing a striker is a priority for Tuchel this summer, although Inter have said Romelu Lukaku is not for sale and Borussia Dortmund are keen to keep hold of Erling Haaland for at least another season.
Tuchel said after the Champions League final win against Manchester City that he was keen to build a side that can challenge for the Premier League title. “We have to check with the owner if this is his plan,” he said. “It’s always possible. The belief is very strong. We have a group with a very strong bond. It’s still a young squad. It’s the challenge now to make this not too heavy for us, this huge success.
“It’s like a similar deal with Tom Brady when they ask him what is his favourite win and he says, ‘the next one’. We have a Premier League to play from day one. We will be seen a bit differently as Champions League winners and this is where we have to step up. If we really want to build something, I’m all in. I’m happy to discuss it. If our beliefs match, we go from there.”
