Chelsea are ready to offer Ruben Loftus-Cheek in deal to sign Achraf Hakimi while Atletico Madrid are preparing a raid for Timo Werner this summer.
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Chelsea have devised a plan to meet Inter Milan’s valuation of their top target Achraf Hakimi. The right-back is valued at around €80 million but reports suggest that the Premier League giants are only willing to offer €60 million, which will not be enough to prise the player away from Milan.
In an attempt to appease Inter, however, Chelsea are prepared to include Ruben Loftus-Cheek in a player plus cash deal to sign Hakimi. The Blues are hoping that the midfielder will be enough to convince the Italian giants to cash in on their prized defender and put an end to a relatively short transfer saga.
Chelsea are well aware of the fact that Inter are already scouting for replacements and are particularly interested in the services of Netherlands’ rising star Denzel Dumfries. The Nerazzurri, though, must act swiftly knowing the right-back’s continued performances could soar up his valuation, potentially forcing them to cash in on him Hakimi ahead of time.
The addition of someone like Loftus-Cheek could be useful for the Inter Milan camp as they prepare for life without Matias Vecino while Marcelo Brozovic is also nearing the final phase of his career. The club also has a delicate situation at hand with Christian Eriksen, who might not be able to continue his football career due to his heart problem.
Loftus-Cheek, who has otherwise been linked with a move to Southampton this summer, should be a smart addition. His physical stature bodes well for Simone Inzaghi’s tactical setup as well as the defensive nature of Italian football.
Hakimi, on the other hand, should be an ideal answer to Thomas Tuchel’s problems in the right wing-back position as the German tactician prepares to offload Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is once again a target for Bayern Munich.
Atletico Madrid eyeing Timo Werner
Loftus-Cheek might not be the only player set to leave Chelsea this summer, with a recent report El Gol Digital shedding some light on Atletico Madrid’s interest in Timo Werner.
There is no secret that Diego Simeone is determined to sign a new forward in the summer, preferably someone young, who can prove to be an ideal long-term replacement for Luis Suarez. Their search has now led them to Werner, who endured a difficult debut season in England in the 2020/21 campaign.
Tuchel is reportedly unhappy with his lack of productivity and is keen on a new forward, having been linked with a move for Sweden’s rising star Alexander Isak recently. It could open up an excellent opportunity for Atletico Madrid to prise the German away from Stamford Bridge, although it remains to be seen whether or not they can afford him this summer.
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A lot will depend on how Chelsea successful are in their pursuit of a new forward. The Blues have faced disappointment in their attempt to lure Romelu Lukaku, as he has also vowed to remain at Inter. But Erling Haaland and Harry Kane also remain options that the west London giants are looking at.
Should any of the big-name forwards arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer, there could be the possibility that they decide to move Werner on. And, Atletico Madrid are waiting to pounce on any such development. It remains to be seen how this transfer story develops, although as iterated earlier, a move is likely to materialise only if Chelsea sign a new striker.
