One of the biggest transfers of the summer is nearing completion as Inter Milan wing-back Achraf Hakimi is reportedly closing on a move to Paris Saint-Germain for €70 million including add-ons. This will be the record fee paid by a club for a full-back in the history of football.
Achraf was instrumental in Inter Milan’s Serie A winning campaign. He managed seven goals and ten assists in Serie A last season. Inter wanted to keep the player but due to the financial crisis at the club, they are forced to sell the star full-back to balance books. The club also received the aid of €275 million from Oaktree Capital Management in the form of a loan.
PSG has been after Hakimi’s signature for a few months. Chelsea was also interested in the 22-year-old player, but they were reportedly holding talks with his agent and never made a bid for the wing-back. Few reports also suggested that Chelsea wanted to include players in the deal.
Hailing from Real Madrid’s academy, Hakimi made his debut for Los Blancos in 2017. He was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund for two years. In 2020, the player was officially signed by Inter Milan for a reported fee of £40 million on a five-year contract. Hakimi currently earns €134,000 weekly and €6 million per year at Inter Milan. According to various sources, the player will earn €10 million per year and a contract of five years. The young wing-back will reportedly undergo his medicals this week to complete the transfer.
It has been a busy start to the transfer window for Paris Saint-Germain. The French club has signed Gini Wijnaldum from Liverpool on a free transfer. AC Milan and Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is also set to play for PSG from next season after his contract ends with AC Milan at the start of the season. Paris Saint-Germain is also linked with Sergio Ramos who recently decided to leave Real Madrid after 16 years at the club.