Real Madrid fullback Achraf Hakimi has become one of the most valuable young players in the world, so it’s no surprise big clubs are circling around the Morocco international this summer.
Fresh off a wildly successful two-year loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, where he helped the Bundesliga powerhouse reestablish itself as one of the world’s foremost attacking sides, Achraf Hakimi will be ready to help Real Madrid win more trophies in 2020-2021. That is, if another big club doesn’t wrestle him away from Los Merengues.
Chelsea were recently linked to Hakimi, and Dortmund’s Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich tried to sign him before settling on a loan deal for Madrid right back Alvaro Odriozola.
Now, Calciomercato reports that Juventus, who have been linked to Real Madrid left back Marcelo, are interested in Hakimi. Further, PSG have interest in Hakimi, who would replace Thomas Meunier at right back. Meunier is set to replace Hakimi as the starting right back for the equally attacking-minded Dortmund.
Marco Ruiz of AS reports that Real Madrid must either sell Hakimi this summer or sign him to an extension, otherwise they risk losing him for free when his contract runs out after the 2020-2021 season. And that would be inexcusable. Hakimi is worth more than 60 million euros after a truly incredible 2019-2020 season at Dortmund, in which he could not stop scoring in the Champions League and built a deadly rapport with the league’s best player in Jadon Sancho.
Perhaps Madridistas, who have been supremely confident that Hakimi will stay, should be slightly worried. AS reports that Real were prepared to sign Hakimi to a five-year contract extension to ensure the player remains at the Bernabeu for the foreseeable future. But the novel coronavirus pandemic has changed everything.
Real Madrid are high on Hakimi, and all the interest from top clubs like PSG and Juventus should only solidify their valuation of the versatile wide player. However, they could be pressed into selling him and using that money to sign a top forward.
But Hakimi is needed as a long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal at right back. He can spell Carvajal at right back, play at left back if needed, and star as a winger on either the left or right. Hakimi’s versatility makes him undervalued at even 60 million euros, and fans should keep in mind that he can be part of the solution in the attack with right winger Gareth Bale set to leave.
Hopefully, Real Madrid do not sell Hakimi and are able to extend the Moroccan star, but the additional interest from Juventus and PSG is at least mildly disconcerting.