Premier League big spenders Chelsea are reportedly linked with a stunning move for PSG players Neymar and Achraf Hakimi.
The Blues are going through a disastrous season, sitting outside of the top half in the Premier League table.
This comes despite heavy spending over the last two summers. The London-based club have signed at least 12 players since January last year, with the January signings of Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk the headline signings.
However, they are expected to dip into the summer transfer market again to bolster their squad even further as they attempt to return to the pinnacle of European and domestic football.
According to Football Insider via Sportskeeda, they want to sign PSG duo Neymar and Hakimi this summer to prepare themselves better for the 2023-24 season. However, as per the report, the Parisians are willing to listen to offers for both players in the future.
This is because they are also planning a major summer overhaul and are desperate to offload some of their top players after growing frustrated at their lack of success in Europe.
Their target is to reduce their inflated wage bill and bring in younger players, preferably of French nationality.
Neymar, whose current contract will expire in June 2025, is one of the stars they want to sell, with the Brazilian one of the top eaters in the club and in Europe. The 30-year-old has witnessed a fair drop in his level of lat despite registering 35 goal involvements in 29 games this season.
PSG will be willing to let him leave, but only if a massive bid is tabled for him this summer.
Hakimi is a player they can let go, with the defender amid an ugly rape allegation.
But it remains to be seen if Chelsea can pull off the deal given that they are restricted by Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. The Blues must raise transfer funds through sales as FFP has capped their summer budget.
Meanwhile, Chelsea aren’t alone in their interest in Hakimi. The London club are reportedly set to face tough competition from Manchester United for the £60 million-rated defender’s signature this summer.
The Red Devils are ahead of Chelsea in the race for the right-back, given that they can offer him European football next season. However, the absence of significant competition at Old Trafford could also play a huge part in persuading Hakimi to join United, as Erik ten Hag doesn’t wholly trust Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. At the same time, Reece James is the undisputed number one at Chelsea in that position.
