KEY POINTS

  • Chelsea will add Loftus-Cheek in an effort to lower Inter Milan's asking fee for Hakimi
  • Hakimi could form a deadly tandem with Erling Haaland if the Blues close a deal
  • Loftus-Cheek seems better off playing elsewhere as Chelsea hosts a loaded lineup

Chelsea is determined to acquire Achraf Hakimi, but the club is having problems trying to meet the asking fee of Inter Milan.

It appears that the Blues may be able to whittle down the required cash outlay if they add someone like Ruben Loftus-Cheek to sweeten the deal.

The Blues see Hakimi as an ideal fit to the 3-4-3 formation of Thomas Tuchel if they can get a deal done.

The 22-year-old could replace Reece James at wing-back and potentially succeed Cesar Azpilicueta as right center-back, ESPN reported.

Under Antonio Conte, Hakimi is coming off a good season with Inter Milan. He collected seven goals and ten assists in their title-winning campaign, something that ended the dominance of Juventus.

However, it remains to be seen if Loftus-Cheek is someone what Inter Milan would be interested in.

The 25-year-old has become a surplus requirement for the Blues and will be allowed to leave if he chooses to do so.

Since arriving in 2014, the English player has struggled to enjoy a full campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Loftus-Cheek ended up getting loaned to Crystal Palace during the 2017-18 season and then to Fulham last season.

He made 31 English Premier League appearances with the Cottagers last season. However, he only managed to amass one goal, which is hardly anything to rave about.

Winning a spot under Tuchel also holds low odds for Loftus-Cheek. The fact that with Jorginho and N’Golo Kante manning central fields already indicates that it is unlikely to get regular minuted with the Blues.

There are also Mateo Kovacic and Billy Gilmour who are available, further dampening the chances of the English footballer.

Achraf Hakimi of Internazionale
Achraf Hakimi of Internazionale Getty Images | Jonathan Moscrop

Hence, Hakimi becomes the second star linked to the Blues this transfer window.

Before the Spanish player, Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund is another player that Chelsea has on its list.

The Norwegian striker had 40 goals in 43 appearances in Bundesliga, a reason why he is also another top target this summer.

However, this is assuming that Der BVB is open to dealing out the 20-year-old this summer.

Haaland is content playing for Borussia Dortmund. He plans to go on vacation after the international break and then report for the pre-season afterwards.

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