Manchester City Eye Deal for Mbappe's 'Best-Friend' as French Star Nears PSG Exit

PSG stars Kylian Mbappe, Achraf Hakimi, and Lee Kang-In | Imago

Manchester City Eye Deal for Mbappe's 'Best-Friend' as French Star Nears PSG Exit

Ayoola Kelechi 23:57 - 18.02.2024

Mbappe's departure from Paris Saint-Germain could be the catalyst for a slew of summer exoduses from the French giants

As the football world closely watches Kylian Mbappe's anticipated departure from Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City is reportedly setting its sights on a deal for Achraf Hakimi, known to be a close friend of the French superstar. 

Amidst the swirling rumors of Mbappe's exit, Hakimi's future at PSG has become a subject of intense speculation, with major clubs, including Real Madrid and Manchester City, showing keen interest in the Moroccan international.

Hakimi's Desire for a New Challenge

Despite being PSG's first-choice right-back and having a contract that runs until the summer of 2026, Achraf Hakimi is reportedly eager to leave the Parisian giants. This season, the 25-year-old defender has made 25 appearances, scoring four goals and providing five assists, showcasing his value to the team. However, his ambitions seem to lie beyond the confines of the Parc des Princes.

Manchester City and Real Madrid are both monitoring Hakimi's situation at PSG with great interest. While Real Madrid is considering bolstering its right-back position, they are not looking to make a move until the summer of 2025. Manchester City, on the other hand, appears more immediately interested in securing Hakimi's services, potentially looking to capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding Mbappe's future at PSG.

PSG, for its part, is keen on retaining Hakimi and is looking to extend his stay beyond his current contract. The club views him as an integral part of their setup, having signed him from Inter Milan for €43 million in 2020. Despite this, PSG faces a challenge in convincing Hakimi to remain with the club amidst growing interest from some of Europe's elite teams.

 The Mbappe Connection

The potential move for Hakimi comes at a time when his close friend, Kylian Mbappe, is also rumored to be on the verge of exiting PSG. The duo's friendship off the pitch has been well-documented, and Manchester City could be looking to reunite the pair in the Premier League, adding an intriguing subplot to the ongoing transfer saga.

Achraf Hakimi's future at Paris Saint-Germain remains uncertain as Manchester City emerges as a potential destination for the Moroccan defender. With PSG keen on keeping him and Real Madrid eyeing a future move, the coming months will be critical in determining where Hakimi will ply his trade. As Mbappe's own future hangs in the balance, the summer transfer window promises to be a pivotal moment for both players and their respective clubs.

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