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Arsenal rival Chelsea for shock Achraf Hakimi summer transfer

By Ross Kennerley

FLORENCE, ITALY - JANUARY 13: Achraf Hakimi Mouh of FC Internazionale looks on during the Coppa Italia match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Artemio Franchi on January 13, 2021 in Florence, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY - JANUARY 13: Achraf Hakimi Mouh of FC Internazionale looks on during the Coppa Italia match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Artemio Franchi on January 13, 2021 in Florence, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images) /
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UDINE, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Achraf Hakimi of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Dacia Arena on January 23, 2021 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /

Arsenal’s Chances of Signing Achraf Hakimi

The ever reliable Telegraph have revealed that Chelsea and Arsenal are both in the race to sign the Moroccan, whose club is facing uncertain times.

On the face of it, Serie A title-challenging Inter who’re regularly featuring in the Champions League and have a superb coach in Antonio Conte seems like a nice place to be: why change?

It’s not a decision for Hakimi to make. The Italian club’s owners, Suning Holdings Group, were forced to shut down their Chinese club, Jiangsu FC, just months after the side lifted their Chinese Super League title. Aiming to focus on their retail ventures, concerns are that this could impact Conte’s side.

Suning Holdings Group are eyeing a sale of Inter, but in order to raise funds they could look to cash in on some of their prized assets. Hakimi only joined from Real Madrid last summer for £34m, but is one of their most valuable assets and Premier League sides are keeping a firm interest.

It’s said that Arsenal see Hakimi as a right-back, while Chelsea would play the 22-year-old further forward. Operating as a wing-back at Inter, as he did at times with Borussia Dortmund, his best assets tend to be in advanced areas where elite vision and pin-point wide deliveries are lethal tools. Down that right hand side, he does everything. One of few world class players in his position across Europe.

Can Arsenal reasonably target such a player? Of course, looking at both Chelsea and Arsenal, as painful as it is, any unbiased footballer will favour a Blues side fighting at the right end of the table and looking more assured of a top four berth and Champions League football each season. Chelsea can offer what Arsenal can’t right now.

Financially, the Blues are also way ahead. Backed by a billionaire owner unafraid to break the bank – even for managers with minor experience – they will do so again…and again. Once more, Arsenal boast no such luxuries given their current plight.

Is there another way, though?

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