Arsenal rival Chelsea for shock Achraf Hakimi summer transfer

Arsenal are in the race to sign Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window, but will face competition from Chelsea for the versatile defender.

The Gunners are setting their sights on the summer transfer window, as they have been doing since the moment Mikel Arteta set through the door, as they seek to take the steps felt necessary to re-imagine the look of the squad.

There are short, medium and long-term goals set in place with a view on a major rebuild job, one that is already in motion. Numerous exits, by hook or by crook, were sanctioned in the winter window while work was done on strengthening the spine of the side in the previous summer, but the list is still extensive. The like that won’t be resolved even in the upcoming transfer period.

Quick maths coughs up a figure of 14 potential departees at the end of the season, a colossal figure that is even more daunting when factoring in the lack of finance and difficulties of the transfer market. Oh, and that these players will need replacing even if Arsenal don’t have European football to entice targets with. Unenviable, to say the least.

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Arsenal join Chelsea in eyeing summer transfer for Inter Milan’s Achraf Hakimi

But above all, it’s scope for excitement. There are no supporters under any illusions that this overhaul has been sorely needed for well beyond just this season. The quality of the squad must improve.

Which could come in the form of a right-back. And not just any right-back, one of the best in Europe for the past few seasons.

Hector Bellerin’s Arsenal ship is on the verge of leaving the dock and setting sail, drawing the curtain on a ten-year affiliation with the club. His performances have dipped in north London and with just over two years left on his deal the time is right for all parties.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles doesn’t fancy playing at right-back and Arteta has little intention of moving him into central midfield, thus a replacement for the Spaniard, should he depart as expected, is high on the list of priorities.

Can Arsenal really be in the mix for Achraf Hakimi, or are they entering a race they can’t win?

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?

Arsenal Could Offer Hector Bellerin in Achraf Hakimi Swap

The whole reason Hakimi is even being mentioned in the same breath as Arsenal is because they’re in need of money. Thus, by that reckoning, a swap deal makes little sense.

If Arsenal were to offer Hector Bellerin in a swap deal in the summer, it wouldn’t be a straight one. Given Hakimi is only 22, was signed for £34m not 12 months ago and is under contract until 2025, he’ll drive a higher fee than the Spaniard would.

The Gunners are said to want £35m for the 25-year-old, a remarkable fee that they’ll be geniuses if they ever got, a makeweight deal could be tantalising for an Inter side who need cash but don’t want to sacrifice too dearly on quality.

Systematically there are some concerns, as Bellerin is usually more comfortable in a back four. That isn’t to say he hasn’t played as a wing-back before, and in fact became quite comfortable in that position during the end of Arsene Wenger’s reign as manager.

Chelsea will hold most of the cards, despite a potential bargaining tool for Arsenal. Furthermore, being in the hunt for Hakimi’s signature will be dependent on securing European football for next season, as someone of his calibre will not be especially keen on dropping out of the Champions League after three straight seasons in the competition.

The Blues are inundated at the top end of the pitch with an embarrassment of riches for Thomas Tuchel to choose from, so it’s not out of the question by any means. And as is the case with Arsenal, if they don’t buy a ticket they will not win the raffle.