Achraf Hakimi to Chelsea: What is happening with the Moroccan?

How close are Chelsea and Inter to agreeing to a deal for Hakimi?

Hakimi recently removed Inter Milan from his Instagram bio and was then pictured boarding a plane with his wife and daughter, which could only mean one thing, right?

Here we… No, not quite yet!

A transfer rumor evolves in stages. In the beginning, there are initial links regarding a club’s interest in a player. In the end, confirmation arrives from several top-tiered sources, close to the club or the player, before an official statement is released.

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Everything in between is the corridor of uncertainty: that’s where the Hakimi deal is at the moment.

Chelsea is interested in Hakimi, unquestionably, but it isn’t the only club after the player’s signature. The Blues face competition from Paris Saint Germain, one of the few clubs able – and willing – to match them financially.

PSG is looking for a new right-back after the departure of Alessandro Florenzi. The Parisiens are desperate too, given that they lack depth in that particular department.

Colin Dagba is the only natural right-back in the PSG ranks at the moment, although Thilo Kehrer has often deputized in that position.

PSG have reportedly offered Inter Milan straight cash for the Moroccan, while Chelsea is proposing a player-plus-cash deal – a notion that interests the Milanese club as per the reliable Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Blues have offered Inter their pick between left wing-backs Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso, with the Italian giants said to be keen on the latter. The fee is reported to be in the region of 60-70 million pounds.

Chelsea is said to be in the driving seat for the player, and barring any late difficulties, should get the deal over the line. However, PSG is a fierce opponent in the transfer market and can surprise the Blues with a late splurge.