Hakimi joins PSG from Inter after agreeing five-year deal

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 6 Jul 2021 11:38 CDT
4 min read

PSG closing in on €70m Hakimi signing — © ProShots

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the signing of Inter right-back Achraf Hakimi on a five-year deal.

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Although neither club confirmed how much the transfer fee cost the Parisian side, reports in France and Italy have suggested that it could stand at around €70 million.

Hakimi has been widely expected to complete his move to PSG for some time now, following Inter’s dire financial situation but the deal wasn’t concluded until a picture of the player and his agent standing alongside sporting director Leanardo surfaced online on Tuesday afternoon.

The Ligue 1 giants then quickly took to social media themselves to confirm the deal alongside their Italian counterparts.

Official announcement soon... but here we go, and here you’ve Achraf Hakimi first pic as Paris Saint-Germain player together with Leonardo and his agent Alejandro Camano - @clmerlo. 🔵🔴 #PSG

Contract signed, medicals completed and... next stop, Sergio Ramos official soon. pic.twitter.com/CfWzR6oQiM

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 6, 2021

"I feel a lot of pride today," said Hakimi in a club statement on the PSG website.

"After my experiences in Spain, Germany and Italy, Paris Saint-Germain offers me the opportunity to discover a new championship under the colors of one of the most prestigious clubs in the world.

"I can't wait to meet my new teammates, the fans and feel the extraordinary fervor that reigns at the Parc des Princes.

"I share the same very high ambitions with the staff and the players and will do everything to give my club what it expects of me."

How much will PSG pay for Hakimi?

Inter accepted an offer from PSG of an initial €60m, plus a possible €10m in add-ons.

Hakimi had long since accepted personal terms on a five-year contract at the Parc des Princes.

Chelsea had also been in the race to sign Hakimi but dropped their interest last week.

The Morocco international is just the latest in a line of impressive signings by PSG this summer, with Gini Wijnaldum and Gigi Donnarumma also moving to Ligue 1 on free transfers from Liverpool and AC Milan, respectively.

Hakimi only signed for Inter from Real Madrid for €40m a year ago and enjoyed an outstanding 2020-21 season at San Siro.

He scored seven goals and made eight assists in Serie A alone as Inter romped to a first Scudetto in 11 years under Antonio Conte.

Happy for the victory and for being able to dedicate the goal to my friend! Stay Strong 💪🏾2️⃣4️⃣❤️⚽️. @ChrisEriksen8 pic.twitter.com/2HSp7yP0B3
— achrafhakimi (@AchrafHakimi) June 12, 2021

Inter's financial crisis

However, Inter have been forced to sell Hakimi due to the financial crisis currently engulfing the club.

The Serie A champions need to make an estimated €80-100m in sales by the end of June, while salary cuts of around 15 to 20 per cent are also being enforced on staff members.

Hakimi was chosen as the favoured player to be sacrificed by Inter and fans will be hoping that no more key members of their squad will be sold.

Inter have also lost coach Conte, who decided to leave given the precarious situation.

However, the Nerazzurri did manage to sign Hakan Calhanoglu on a Bosman from rivals Milan in June.