Manchester City have reportedly joined the race to sign Inter Milan star Achraf Hakimi, who is also a target for Arsenal and Chelsea.
The winter transfer window is still pretty much in our rear-view mirrors, but that does not mean that clubs cannot start their planning for the summer. According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercato, Manchester City are the latest club to have shown an interest in Achraf Hakimi, who is also being tailed by Arsenal and Chelsea.
Hakimi has established himself as one of the most enterprising young full-backs in the game, with his success majorly coming while on-loan from Real Madrid at Borussia Dortmund. Upon returning to the Spanish capital last summer, the 22-year-old was almost instantly sent on his way to Inter Milan, this time on a permanent transfer.
The youngster was a little slow off the blocks, with Antonio Conte eager to give him enough time to settle in at San Siro. That has worked wonders, as Hakimi is now a key figure for the Nerazzurri, as his fantastic return of 6 goals and 5 assists in 27 appearances suggests. The player’s progress has duly been noticed, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City having their sights firmly set on him.
Arsenal are believed to be in a precarious position over the future of Hector Bellerin, who has been linked with a return to Barcelona in recent months. Therefore, the Premier League heavyweights are reported to be keeping their options open, with former Chelsea full-back Tariq Lamptey among their targets to possibly replace Bellerin.
Hakimi, to that end, is a viable target for Arsenal, who could sign an established star in the young defender. The Gunners, though, are in battle with Chelsea in the race to sign Hakimi from Inter Milan.
At Chelsea, new manager Thomas Tuchel has so far made use of the 3-4-2-1 formation, a system that plays to the strengths of Hakimi. While the German manager does have a fine option in Reece James, he has instead opted to play Callum Hudson-Odoi as a makeshift wing-back, although to his credit, the Englishman has excelled in the role so far.
Hakimi, though, would be more of a natural in the position, thereby making him an option worth considering for Chelsea. The Blues and Arsenal, though, now face competition from Manchester City in his pursuit. The Citizens’ interest, though, comes as a bit of a surprise, considering both Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo have excelled at right-back for Pep Guardiola.
Nevertheless, it looks like Manchester City could be rivalling Chelsea and Arsenal for Hakimi. Inter Milan, meanwhile, will not let Hakimi leave for anything lower than the €40 million they paid Real Madrid to sign him last summer and it will be interesting to see if any of the three suitors are ready to part with such a sum. Either way, an interesting summer beckons Hakimi.
