Transfer News: Chelsea set to battle Arsenal for Serie A defensive star

Chelsea set to battle Arsenal for Achraf Hakimi

According to The Telegraph (h/t Daily Mail), Chelsea are set to go up against Arsenal for the signing of Achraf Hakimi. It has been said that Inter Milan are considering a sale for him due to financial problems.

Arsenal are considering Hakimi as a replacement for Hector Bellerin and Chelsea want him more for their right-midfield role. Hakimi could be available to both these clubs easily as Inter’s owners are in a financial mess.

They stopped their operations at their Chinese clubs, which in turn put the future of Inter up in the air.

While the owners have reiterated their financial support and commitment to the club, they could be forced to sell some of their assets at the club and Hakimi could be one of them.

On the up, it may look like Chelsea really don’t need another full-back. The club brought in Ben Chilwell for big money last summer and Reece James’ meteoric rise means that both sides of the defence are settled.

However, with Thomas Tuchel at the helm now, there has been a tactical rejig. He has switched to a back three and wing-backs were reintroduced. While Marcos Alonso has looked good at left wing-back, the same cannot be said about the right.

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Reece James is a full-back while Callum Hudson-Odoi has been shoehorned into that role. Signing a natural fit like Hakimi would serve the club well. He fits the role perfectly and he is prolific as well, representing an upgrade on the options already present at the club.