Arsenal to battle Chelsea for £40m Inter Achraf Hakimi

Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly entered a race to sign Inter Milan full back Achraf Hakimi this summer.

The 22-year-old, who used to play for Real Madrid, has been a key figure for the Italian giants this season, scoring six goals and providing five assists in 25 matches in Serie A.

However there is financial uncertainty surrounding Inter and Hakimi could be offloaded to bring money into the club, according to The Telegraph.

The report claims that Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the £40million-rated defender.

Gunners right back Hector Bellerin has been linked with a move away from the Emirates with Paris Saint-Germain mentioned as a possible landing spot while the Blues reportedly see Hakimi as an option on the right side of midfield.

It was revealed last month that Inter's owners Suning Group had halted operations at its Chinese football clubs, including the recently-crowned champions Jiangsu FC, due to financial jeopardy - a move which plunged the future of the Serie A giants into uncertainty.

Suning is one of China's largest retailers and also owns Inter - but now plans to focus on core businesses, which leaves its non-retail assets at risk.

Inter were forced to reiterate Suning's financial commitment to the club in a statement designed to reassure supporters.

'As part of ongoing capital structure and liquidity management, the business and our ownership are in talks to provide a range of solutions in this respect,' the club said.

'While Suning have confirmed their commitment to financially support the club with or without additional external support, it is also sensible and prudent to look outside.

'With that in mind, Suning appointed key advisers in Asia to work with them to find suitable partners, be that with an injection of equity capital or otherwise.

'Talks with key potential partners in this respect remain ongoing.'

While it was announced last week that Inter and Pirelli will end their shirt sponsorship deal at the end of the season.

The shirt sponsorship deal, worth around £10million per season plus bonuses, will not be extended beyond the end of the season, Pirelli chief executive Marco Tronchetti Provera confirmed.