Why Hakimi joined PSG over Chelsea

Chelsea were one of the major contenders in the race to sign Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan in the recent summer transfer window.

But the Morocco international would sign for the French side Paris Saint Germain ahead of the Blues in a deal worth around €60million (£51.5m).

He became a part of the top players PSG signed in the summer, including Barcelona star Lionel Messi, Liverpool star Gini Wijnaldum, AC Milan star Gianluigi Donnarumma and Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos.

Hakimi, in a recent statement, has revealed why he opted for PSG ahead of Chelsea.

The Moroccan told French news outlet L’Equipe he felt he had to come to Paris, as he believed he would be happy there.

“PSG is a great club, I really appreciate the support the fans gave me straight away. I was lucky because so many other champions joined me.

“I feel good at PSG, we have a dream team, and I’m happy to be a part of it,” he added.

His former Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte, however, stressed in a statement with Sky Sport Italia that Hakimi dreams remain playing for Real Madrid despite joining PSG.

Recall that the Moroccan star left Real Madrid for Inter in the summer of 2020 for around £38m.