Chelsea Rumors: Blues Could Finally Sign Achraf Hakimi With One Crucial Decision

Chelsea may have a player on their squad that could be used as a perfect bargaining chip to sign Inter Milan striker Achraf Hakimi.

Hakimi’s transfer saga has been one of the most interesting stories this summer. After winning the Serie A title in his maiden season with Inter Milan, the Moroccan striker has become a top target for the likes of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

Between the two aforementioned clubs, PSG has become widely known as the front-runner to land Hakimi.

However, according to famed transfer insider Dean Jones, the Blues are likely to go all-in for the 22-year-old.

What’s even more interesting is that Jones bared Inter Milan is heavily considering a swoop for Marcos Alonso, a player Chelsea could swap for Hakimi.

"[Achraf] Hakimi is the one right now that most of the focus is on,” Jones recently said on The Football Terrace. “I know there have been reports that PSG is in the lead to sign him.”

"Hakimi obviously does want to leave Inter, the thing that is really behind Chelsea here is that Marcos Alonso is open to leaving Chelsea and Inter Milan really does want to sign him,” he continued. “So that’s a big thing that Chelsea have got in their locker here."

"If Chelsea has got a player that Inter thinks can strengthen their team, it helps make this transaction easier and helps deal with the loss of Hakimi, then that’s a massive plus for Chelsea. The player has always liked the idea of playing for Chelsea."

The Nerazzurri has been linked to Alonso in recent times, having identified the Spaniard as a priority signing for the left-back position this summer.

Regardless of how the Hakimi situation plays out, the Serie A champs are still expected to pursue the English Premier League champion, per Sempre Inter, citing Sky Sport Italia transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio.

Though the apparent mutual interest from Inter Milan seems to be growing, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel’s earlier comments about Alonso hinted that an exit is not likely to be considered.

“Marcos [Alonso] is an intelligent and calm guy, full of self-confidence but he’s well aware of what he can do and what he cannot do,” Tuchel told Chelsea’s official website in April. “We decided in the first game to play a back three and to have the wing-back positions, which suits his profile perfectly. He was experienced and I had pictures in my mind of what he could give to the team in this position.”

“He showed his quality and from then on every day is a pleasure to have him because he’s a top professional guy,” the manager added. “I’m very happy that he took his chance. He never lost faith in himself and when we arrived he was physically ready to play at the highest level so it’s a credit to him and now he has to keep on going.”