Achraf Hakimi has reportedly dealt a crushing blow to Real Madrid’s hopes of signing him, as he is closing in on signing a new contract with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Achraf Hakimi is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The reigning La Liga champions are keen on reinforcing their right-back department after Dani Carvajal picked up a long-term knee injury. However, the Paris Saint-Germain full-back will unlikely arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu, as he is in advanced talks with Les Parisiens regarding a new contract.
Achraf Hakimi and his career so far
Achraf Hakimi has been one of the best full-backs in Ligue 1 since joining Paris Saint-Germain from Inter Milan in July 2021. The Moroccan international had previously made a similar impact in the Bundesliga and Serie A, stamping his authority during his spells with Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.
The 25-year-old rose in prominence after graduating from the youth division at Real Madrid but has seen his stock skyrocket during his spells with Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, and PSG. Hakimi has turned out 128 times thus far for the Ligue 1 champions while chipping in with 15 goals and 22 assists.
The 79-cap Moroccan international has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe with his exploits for PSG. In addition, Hakimi will enter the final 18 months of his contract in January, and his situation has captured the interest of Real Madrid.
Will Hakimi return to Real Madrid?
Recent reports have claimed that Achraf Hakimi is keen on returning to Real Madrid. The defending La Liga champions are scouring the market for a right-back after losing Dani Carvajal to a season-ending knee injury. So, several candidates, including Tiago Santos, have emerged on Real Madrid’s radar.
However, Hakimi is also a viable target, with Darren Bent predicting the 79-cap Moroccan international to be Carvajal’s successor at Real Madrid instead of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Those talks can go into the backburner, with the PSG full-back in advanced discussions with the Ligue 1 champions regarding a new contract.
With Hakimi closing in on signing a new deal with Les Parisiens, Real Madrid must look elsewhere to bolster the right-back department. It will be interesting to see who reinforces the unit in the coming months as the Merengues look to find a cover for Carvajal.
