Chelsea should make smart Achraf Hakimi decision to help Erling Haaland transfer

Reece James names Chelsea player he'd want in England squad

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Chelsea are running the risk of getting drawn into a transfer battle for Inter Milan defender Achraf Hakimi. Hakimi is widely expected to leave Inter in this transfer window, with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain both keen on securing the Moroccan’s signature.

Hakimi enjoyed a superb season for Inter, contributing seven goals and eight assists in 37 appearances as Antonio Conte’s side won Serie A.

The 22-year-old is a fast and attack-minded full-back who is comfortable playing in a wing-back system.

He is an understandable target for Chelsea, who often played a three-man defence under Thomas Tuchel last season.

According to BBC Sport, Chelsea have already made a bid ‘in the region of’ £51million (€60m) for Hakimi, with Marcos Alonso ‘potentially included as part of the deal.’

Blues director Marina Granovskaia is busy negotiating and is reportedly willing to include the likes of Emerson Palmieri, Andreas Christensen and Davide Zappacosta in the bid too.

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Inter Milan need to sell in order to balance their books and are holding out for their valuation of £68m (€80m).

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, PSG have so far reached £60m (€70m) with their bids and are hoping to complete a deal soon.

Hakimi is said to prefer a move to Paris and has already agreed a contract in principle with PSG.

Chelsea showed last summer that they have huge financial pulling power, splashing out around £222m to sign Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Edouard Mendy.

With owner Roman Abramovich targeting a tilt at the Premier League title, they probably could reach Inter’s asking price for Hakimi if they really wanted.

Yet, while the value of money is somewhat distorted by Abramovich’s deep pockets, there is a compelling argument that they should not be sucked into a battle with PSG for Hakimi’s signature.

Chelsea already have Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta to play in the right wing-back position, while Callum Hudson-Odoi has also been fielded there by Tuchel.

With Azpilicueta now 31 years old and perhaps better suited to the right side of central defence, it is understandable that Chelsea are exploring options to strengthen the position.

However, £68m can almost certainly be better spent elsewhere; Tuchel needs a world-class centre-forward more than he needs another right-back.

Borussia Dortmund reportedly want £150m for Erling Haaland, while Inter Milan and Tottenham are both likely to hold out for big fees for Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane respectively.

Not buying Hakimi could prove to be an important part of buying the striker they so desperately need.

It could also be an important moment for James, who has already established himself as one of Tuchel’s go-to players this year.

The 21-year-old is a good crosser, a natural athlete and can provide a useful outlet down the right-hand side. A big-money move for Hakimi is hardly a vote of confidence in their young full-back.

Chelsea are not usually one for backing down in a transfer battle, but they would be better off sitting out of this one and putting all their efforts into landing a striker.

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