Chelsea target has cheeky ploy to derail Tuchel despite offering key transfer hint
Inter full-back Achraf Hakimi could still turn down a move to Chelsea, despite reportedly having his heart set on a move to Stamford Bridge.
The Morocco international has become one of the most in-demand stars after his performances last season. He scored seven goals and assisted 11 others, subsequently playing a crucial role in his club’s Serie A title triumph. As a result, he has shot into view of European clubs, including Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
At one point, the Blues reportedly overtook their continental rivals in the race by offering two stars in a transfer.
According to Caught Offside, PSG remain Hakimi’s preferred destination this summer.
However, their ‘half-hearted’ approach has left the full-back ‘confused’ over whether the move is still on.
PSG reportedly became the first club to submit a bid for Hakimi, but had that offer rejected. Since then, though, the French giants have sat idle, pondering over their next move.
That has caused Hakimi to become ‘frustrated’ and, as such, set his sights on a move to Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, Chelsea are now negotiating with Inter ‘with purpose’. Hakimi therefore feels that a transfer to west London is on its way and is only a matter of time.
Transfer Chatter - Liverpool in for Sweden forward, Chelsea's verbal agreement with full-back and Wolves chasing ex-Atletico striker
Jurgen Klopp is monitoring a 17-goal Swedish international, Chelsea have a verbal agreement with one of the world's most exciting full-backs and Wolves toying with approaching free agent, all in today's transfer chatter.
Secretly, though, he hopes that PSG come back in with a late offer which could end the Blues’ hopes of signing him.
But the feeling now is that he has more chance of moving to Chelsea than PSG.
Indeed, while Emerson Palmieri and Andreas Christensen could serve as potential bait in a deal, Marcos Alonso and Davide Zappacosta could also go.
Hakimi is only a year into his Inter contract, after joining from Real Madrid last summer.
However, he rarely played for Los Blancos, instead signing up to a two-year loan at Borussia Dortmund in 2018.
Chelsea told Hakimi transfer qualities
Meanwhile, former Inter striker Alessandro Altobelli has told Chelsea what they would be getting if they signed Hakimi.
He said: “To me, a player like Hakimi is irreplaceable. He’s one of the best in Europe, dare I say in the world.
“He’s a generous and hard-working wing-back, he’s superb during the attacking phase and he’s now learned how to be efficient during the defensive one as well.”
READ MORE: Chelsea told top qualities major target will bring as club given warning