The powers that be at La Liga giants Real Madrid have today been dealt a blow, in their hopes of bringing Achraf Hakimi back to the club.
This comes amid confirmation that the Moroccan international has opened negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain, over the terms of a new contract.
The name of defender Hakimi, of course, has taken its place back in the headlines in Madrid over the course of the last few weeks.
As much comes after claims were forthcoming that the 25-year-old had made clear his intent to depart PSG in the not-so-distant future.
On the lookout for a long-term replacement for the aging Dani Carvajal, it was in turn suggested that Hakimi would be targeted by Real in the summer of 2025, at which point he will have just a solitary year remaining on his current terms at the Parc des Princes.
As alluded to above, however, if the latest word stemming from France is anything to go by, then those of a Real Madrid persuasion hopeful of seeing the gifted right-back make his way back to the Santiago Bernabéu need not get their hopes up.
As per a report from reliable outlet Le Parisien, talks have been opened between the PSG brass, and Hakimi’s representatives, over prolonging his stay in Paris.
It is added that the Moroccan international himself has not indicated a desire to depart, whilst ’embodying the future in the eyes of the leaders’ at his club.
Real Madrid’s hopes of reuniting Hakimi with teammate and close friend Kylian Mbappé in La Liga, for the time being at least, therefore look dead in the water.
Conor Laird | GSFN
