Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has confirmed his club’s interest in keeping Real Madrid full-back Achraf Hakimi at the Westphalian Stadium for a third season, after the player himself has thrived in Germany so far. They are not against this idea.
Still only 21 years old, Hakimi joined Dortmund on a temporary two-year deal as a teenager in 2018 after failing to secure a permanent place in Real Madrid’s matchday squads.
Hakimi has played 17 times for Real Madrid/PowerSports Images/Getty Images.
The move to Germany has been a masterstroke for Hakimi, whose development has been particularly noticeable this season. He has scored 12 goals in a total of 70 appearances for Dortmund and is now regarded as one of the brightest full-back talents in Europe.
According to Bild, Hakimi is not opposed to staying at Dortmund and Zorc has expressed the club’s intention to try to bring him back in time for next season – although he will be out after the 2019/20 campaign. Initially will return to parent club Real Madrid.
“The contract situation is clear – he will return to Real Madrid for now. We will still try to get him to play with us next season, but it is too early to talk about that,” Zorc said.
Hakimi will continue to get regular football if he is to return to Dortmund, while a move back to Real next season will face an uphill battle with the established Dani Carvajal.
Chelsea, Man City, Tottenham and Juventus interested in Hakimi / TF-Images/Getty Images
The player will not be short of options despite a source telling 90 Minutes that Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham have made inquiries to Real. Paris Saint-Germain, Inter and Juventus are also keeping tabs, while Dortmund are ‘desperate’ to keep him.
But despite Bild reporting that Hakimi is set to stay at Dortmund, his overwhelming desire is still to return to the Spanish capital and become a regular there.
“He wants to play like this season, where he’s started every game. There’s no rush. His only desire is to play games to help him develop,” agent Alejandro Camano told a local outlet last month. told radio station Onda Madrid.
Camano explained that Camp does not want to ‘distance’ himself from Real and will “reach some kind of agreement whether he stays or goes, without forgetting that his goal is to play for Real.”
Hakimi himself recently said, “If Real Madrid wants me to go back, I’ll go back,” though he added, “…if not, I have to write the next chapter at another great club.” Will.”
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