Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi remains ‘high on Thomas Tuchel’s list’ of Chelsea targets this summer, according to reports.
The wing-back joined the Ligue 1 champions last summer after impressing for Inter Milan under Antonio Conte.
Chelsea were strongly linked with a move for the Moroccan, who opted for a transfer to Paris rather than moving to London.
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At the time it was believed that his wife played a big part in the decision, preferring to live in the French capital over England.
Despite the failed pursuit of the 23-year-old, Chelsea boss Tuchel remains a fan of the defender, who could still move to Stamford Bridge one day.
Chelsea opted to sign Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan after the Hakimi deal fell through, with Reece James playing the majority of the season at right wing-back, despite being out of the team with injuries at several points.
This saw Tuchel have to improvise, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta all stepping in to play in the position.
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According to Fabrizio Romano, Hakimi has always been high on the list for the Chelsea boss, who is a huge fan of the defender.
PSG are yet to receive any proposals, with new sporting director Luis Campos appreciating the Moroccan.
However, his future could depend on the managerial situation in Paris, with Maurizio Pochettino set for a departure and Christophe Galtier or Zinedine Zidane looking the most likely to take the reigns.
Romano finalises by stating that while Hakimi would add to Chelsea and many other top teams, the Blues are aware of the need to strengthen elsewhere, including at centre-back and in attack.
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Lukaku looks set for a return to Inter Milan after a disappointing season at Chelsea, arriving for £97.5 million but failing to live up to his price tag as he netted 15 goals in all competitions.
Furthermore, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have left the club upon the expiry of their contract and the Blues must dip into the transfer market to replace them.
Hakimi’s former teammate Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan has been linked, while his current teammate Presnel Kimpembe could be reunited with Tuchel at Chelsea this summer.
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If Hakimi becomes available once a new manager is in place in Paris, Chelsea could look to make a move but until then he looks to remain a PSG player, with Campos set to make the majority of the decisions as sporting director.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Paris Saint-Germain, Achraf Hakimi, Thomas Tuchel
Nick Emms