Manchester United will reportedly provide stiff competition to Barcelona to acquire the services of PSG defender Achraf Hakimi this summer.
According to a report by Football Insider, Achraf Hakimi is the subject of interest from Manchester United over a possible move in the ongoing transfer window. The Paris Saint-Germain defender is also a target for Barcelona this summer, but the Red Devils have opened talks to secure his services.
Achraf Hakimi has established himself as one of the best attacking full-backs despite failing to become a regular for Real Madrid. The 23-year-old enjoyed solid stints with Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan before joining Paris Saint-Germain last summer. And after experiencing teething problems for PSG, he has become a pivotal figure at Parc des Princes.
The Moroccan international has turned out nearly 50 times thus far for PSG, growing to become a prolific contributor in the final third. But Hakimi might end another spell at a club after only one year, with several high-profile clubs in Europe, including Barcelona and Manchester United, setting their sights on him.
The Catalan giants are in the market for a right-back this summer following Dani Alves’s departure as a free agent, while Sergino Dest is surplus to requirements at Camp Nou. Cesar Azpilicueta was Barcelona’s priority target for the ongoing transfer window, but the Chelsea captain snubbed the Blaugrana by signing a new contract with the west London club.
Several alternatives have thus popped up on Barcelona’s radar in the last few weeks, including Hakimi. But the interest from Barcelona is surprising, considering the PSG defender’s ties with Real Madrid. And that might hand Manchester United an advantage in the race to sign Hakimi this summer.
Like Barcelona, the Red Devils are keen on signing a right-back in the ongoing transfer window, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot being far from impressive at Old Trafford. Several right-backs have thus emerged on Manchester United’s radar, with Hakimi a viable target. And the Premier League heavyweights have opened talks to sign the PSG defender.
Barcelona and Manchester United are clashing over several other right-backs, including Vanderson and Malo Gusto. It will be interesting to see if Manchester United will have an advantage in the race to sign Hakimi or if the PSG defender is open to joining Barcelona. But PSG might not be ready to sell the 23-year-old after just one year.