Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea are preparing for a busy summer of transfer activity at Stamford Bridge.
The current champions of Europe will be looking to make a real challenge on Manchester City's defence of their Premier League crown as Tuchel gears up for his first full season in charge.
Chelsea boss Tuchel, along with transfer chief Marina Granovskaia, are understood to want to strengthen three key areas of the side ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, with a right-sided defender, a central midfielder and a striker - namely Erling Haaland - top of the list.
While Haaland would be the glamour signing everyone was hoping for this season, another name for one of those positions has very much come to the fore - Achraf Hakimi.
Chelsea's reported interest in Hakimi saw Sky Sports claim the Blues had a £56.1million bid knocked back for the Inter Milan right wing-back. That was said to have matched an offer of the same value from French giants Paris Saint-Germain, which was also rejected.
Despite the setback, Chelsea are said to have retained their interest in the former Borussia Dortmund loanee, with it being claimed Inter would accept an offer of £68.6m to let their man go.
And Inter legend Alessandro Altobelli, who made more than 300 appearances for the club over 11 years from 1977 to 1988, has said whatever the price received, Hakimi would be irreplaceable.
“To me, a player like Hakimi is irreplaceable, he’s one of the best in Europe, dare I say in the world,” Altobelli told NetBet.
“He’s a generous and hard-working wing-back, he’s superb during the attacking phase and he’s now learned how to be efficient during the defensive one as well.
“He drives forward with the ball so many times during a game, he’s one of those box-to-box wing-backs, he doesn’t stop running during a game.
“Not only does he have the work rate, but he backs it up with his quality in possession.”
He added: “Losing him will be a big blow for Inter, he can’t be replaced, at the moment the market doesn’t offer a substitute for Hakimi.
“I would do everything to keep him, but if Inter can cash in, then for the club’s sake I say sell him, it will be a huge loss, but he can do well at any club.
“Chelsea are now European champions, and they won the Champions League displaying great football, but I think Hakimi would fit right into that team.
“It’s only normal that good players are sought out and that they will end up playing for the top teams with the financial means to buy them.”
Altobelli's admission comes after Hakimi appeared to make his stance clear on his next move.
According to reports in France, the wing-back would prefer to seal a move to PSG and work with Mauricio Pochettino, over a switch to the Premier League.
Hakimi, a Moroccan international, started his career with Real Madrid, before two loan spells with Borussia Dortmund and then a switch to Inter last summer. He scored seven goals and got 11 assists in 45 games for the Italian side last season.
