Football News

Achraf Hakimi: Alexander-Arnold rival is wanted by “all the big teams in Europe”, says agent

By Harry Edwards

Published: 15:30, 21 April 2020

Achraf Hakimi is the best right-back in the world alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to the Moroccan’s agent.

Hakimi, 21, has spent the past two seasons on loan at Borussia Dortmund and, since joining from Real Madrid in 2018, has made a name for himself as one of the brightest attacking full-backs in Europe.

He has been directly involved in 13 Bundesliga goals this season, scoring three times and recording 10 assists in 25 appearances. He also has four goals in the Champions League after scoring a brace against Slavia Prague and another against Inter Milan in the group stages.

All of this has led to speculation over with a big summer move. The likes of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have been mooted as potential destinations, on top of Hakimi’s more straightforward options, such as returning to Real Madrid or joining Borussia Dortmund permanently.

Another right-back enjoying a similar rise in Europe is Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who broke into the first team during the 2016/17 season to become a regular in Jurgen Klopp’s defence.

Since making his debut, Alexander-Arnold has gone on to win the Champions League and help Liverpool close in on a Premier League title. He is widely considered the best right-back in Europe despite his young age and Jamie Carragher considers him to be one of Liverpool’s six truly world-class players.

Over the past two Premier League seasons, Alexander-Arnold has recorded 24 assists. This is more than any player in the division and makes him the first defender to record 10+ assists in consecutive campaigns.

Hakimi’s agent, Alejandro Camano, believes his client is on the same level as Alexander-Arnold. He also states that the 21-year-old has been subject to interest from clubs across Europe.

“Achraf is the best right-back in the world together with Trent Alexander-Arnold,” he told Sky Germany.

“All the big teams in Europe want him and, of course, Real Madrid is one of them.

“But BVB is still an option for us. We are just waiting now.”

Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.

Despite all the reported interest, Camano confirmed that Bayern Munich had not been in contact about Hakimi.

He added: “I’ve already read about it in the media several times but I did not have any contact with Bayern yet regarding Achraf.”

For his part, despite previously saying his heart is “divided” between BVB and Los Blancos, Hakimi plans to return to Madrid if his boyhood club decide he is in their plans.