Chelsea still in the race for Hakimi, but also keeping an eye on Adama Traore — reports

Past reports posited towards Chelsea taking a backseat in the race for Achraf Hakimi’s signature, but according to Gazzetta dello Sport and RMC Sport (via Sport Witness), all hope is not lost just yet.

As reported previously as well, Inter would prefer a transaction that involves more liquid cash, and therefore, Chelsea are seemingly willing to raise the “cash-part” of the offer to get closer to Inter Milan’s €80m valuation, while also giving the Nerazzurri the chance to sign our players as part of the potential deal. The likes of Emerson, Andreas Christensen, Davide Zappacosta and Marcos Alonso are all available to be used as makeweights.

PSG’s last bid stands at €70m, which was more or less a response to Chelsea’s interest, with Inter now hoping that this transfer battle will eventually result in their asking price being met. Hakimi personally prefers a move to Paris, and has already agreed upon a contract worth €8m a year plus €2m in bonuses. The Serie A side have now started looking for replacements for the Morocco international, with the likes of Denzel Dumfries, Davide Zappacosta, Emerson Royal and Nahitan Nandez all high on their wish-list, as per Corriere dello Sport.

Should Chelsea fail with a move for Hakimi, one of the alternative right wing back targets that we have in mind is Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers. As per Diario AS, the Spanish international has been recommended to the club by Thomas Tuchel himself, with the German manager of the belief that Traore can slot in seamlessly at the RWB position.

The 25-year-old’s current contract runs through 2023, and while his entourage started renewal talks with Wolves months ago, an agreement hasn’t been reached. Alongside Chelsea, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United are also said to be interested in Traore’s signature.

(PSG too, are seemingly not fully confident of sealing Hakimi’s transfer, with the Parisian side keeping a keen eye on Alessandro Florenzi, Serge Aurier and Kieran Trippier’s situations.)

In other fullback news, Goal reports that PAOK Thessaloniki will reportedly not be pursuing Abdul Rahman Baba’s permanent signing as was previously reported. The financials have seemingly proved to be a sticking point, and Baba Rahman will now seek a move to a top-five European league after proving his fitness in Greece.