Inter close to Hakimi deal, reveals Marotta

Milan, June 29: Inter are in advanced negotiations over a deal to sign Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid, Nerazzurri chief executive Beppe Marotta has confirmed.

Hakimi has been a star for Borussia Dortmund this season, having joined on a two-year loan from La Liga giants Madrid in 2018.

However, Dortmund confirmed on Saturday (June 27) that Hakimi would not be staying on permanently, with Thomas Meunier having already been brought in to bolster Lucien Favre's options at right-back.

Now, Hakimi appears to be set to move to Inter, with Marotta confirming reports that a deal is close to being struck, with sporting director Piero Ausilio handling the deal for the Serie A club.

10 - Achraf #Hakimi is the 2nd youngest player to have provided at least 10 assists in the current season in the Top-5 European Leagues, behind only Jadon Sancho. Glacial. pic.twitter.com/dYTyLfX8yR

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) June 26, 2020

"We are in an advanced phase of negotiation and we see what will happen in the next few days," Marotta told Sky Italia prior to Inter's clash with Parma on Sunday (June 28).

"I want there to be great respect towards those players who are working and playing in this complex period. Then we also look to the future and for the future we want to raise the bar.

"[It's a] very, very important operation. I must say that Ausilio did an excellent job. Now we have yet to finish everything, but Ausilio has done everything in the past two months and tomorrow will be an important day."

Morocco full-back Hakimi, 21, scored nine goals in all competitions for Dortmund in 2019-20.