Achraf Hakimi is set to make a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, after Chelsea pulled out of the race for the highly sought wing-back.
The Morocco international has been in mightily impressive form in recent seasons, having followed up a fine two-year loan spell at Borussia Dortmund with a stellar debut campaign under Antonio Conte at Inter Milan.
Despite ending the 2020/21 season as Serie A champions, with Hakimi recording seven goals and 11 assists, financial difficulties at the Italian club and the resulting departure of Conte has thrown the player’s future into doubt, with him one of a handful of assets who may have to be sold in order to raise funds.
With a player of that quality potentially on the market this summer, clubs from across Europe have unsurprisingly been circling, with both Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea emerging as the two frontrunners for his signature.
According to Gazetta dello Sport, however, it would appear that the Ligue 1 giants have won that race, the player all but set to make the move to the Parc des Princes, after the Blues pulled out of negotiations.
As per the report, the Champions League winners viewed the former Real Madrid man as a key target this summer, although have since backed away after seeing their initial offers rebuffed by Inter.
After seeing their first offer turned down, the Premier League side were reportedly willing to up their bid to £47m as well as include Spanish defender Marcos Alonso in the deal, although that seemingly still wasn’t enough to entice the Italian club to sell.
Hakimi is now set to join Mauricio Pochettino’s side in a £55m deal that will see him sign a five-year deal and link up with former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum, who has recently joined the French club on a free transfer.
As for Chelsea, the move for the Inter man had come as something of a surprise due its potential ramifications for current first-choice right wing-back, Reece James, although that does appear an area that Thomas Tuchel still needs to bolster, with little suitable alternative to the Englishman in that position.
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