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    Soccer News: The sale of Hakimi to PSG was ‘painful’, says Inter CEO Marotta

    Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta says the decision to sell full-back Achraf Hakimi to Paris Saint-Germain was “painful”.

    The Moroccan international signed for the Ligue 1 giants on Tuesday after the Nerazzurri accepted an offer worth an initial € 68 million with an additional € 3 million possible through bonuses.

    Hakimi shined in Serie A after joining from Real Madrid, contributing seven goals and nine assists last season when Inter were crowned champions for the first time in a decade.

    In fact, in last season’s first five European leagues, only four defenders were directly involved in more goals than Hakimi (16 – seven scored, nine assisted).

    Although difficult, the sale of Hakimi was deemed necessary by Inter, who are looking to recover nearly € 100 million in the transfer window by reducing costs, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

    Further departures are expected, with Joao Mario and Radja Nainggolan the most likely to leave, with Hakan Calhanoglu and Alex Cordaz their only signings to date.

    Speaking at a press conference to unveil new manager Simeone Inzaghi, Marotta confirmed that Hakimi’s departure was largely due to the club’s financial situation following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

    “We are starting a season that will be difficult, as usual,” said Marotta.

    “We are going through a difficult and in some ways disturbing moment after the pandemic, also due to the world economy. Consequently, football is now looking for a sustainable model.

    “Inter certainly want to continue on the same path as last season, looking at the economic and financial aspects. The owners want to build a competitive team, they have invested over 700 million euros and football is paying the consequences of what has just happened.

    “It is unthinkable to ask for the same efforts. We made painful choices like selling Hakimi but always trying to give continuity ”.

    Inzaghi was named last month after Antonio Conte left the club by mutual agreement.

    The former Italian international had left Lazio a week earlier after five years at the helm of the Olympic Stadium.

    Inzaghi won 134, drew 45 and lost 72 of his 251 matches in all competitions while at Lazio, the only club he has worked for during his coaching career to date.

    “I spent 22 incredible years at Lazio, I felt good there, I was lucky enough to win as a player and as a coach, but it was time for a change,” said the 45-year-old.

    “I had received many requests, but it was never the right time to change. It’s a moment that comes sooner or later, I haven’t thought about it too long ».

    Asked what fans can expect from his team, Inzaghi said: “I want my team to have intensity, stay in the game and react to what can happen.

    “I trained [Stefan] de Vrij and I had played with [Aleksandar] Kolarov and [Samir] Handanovic. It’s nice to reunite with them, I will have a great relationship with them and with others.

    I like the daily pressure, otherwise I would not have accepted the job at Inter. I have an excellent relationship with managers, we must be able to manage difficulties well when we face them “.

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