Inter are not prepared to accept player exchanges for Achraf Hakimi, which puts PSG in the lead compared to Chelsea.

According to Sportitalia and Gazzetta dello Sport transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà, the Nerazzurri will lower their asking price to €70m, but it must be a pure cash sum.

Chelsea had hoped to include Marcos Alonso as part of the deal along with €60m in cash.

However, this determination to rule out player exchanges means Paris Saint-Germain are the favourites.

They seem more likely to step up the proposal from €60m to €70m, with reports over the last few days in France that director Leonardo was already preparing the improved bid.

Hakimi is considered the priority on the transfer market for PSG, a player Inter signed from Real Madrid for €45m under a year ago.

The 22-year-old Morocco international scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 45 competitive appearances for the Nerazzurri this season, on their way to winning the Serie A title.