From Spain: Real Madrid and Manchester City poised to go head-to-head for PSG defender

Manchester City are in line to go head-to-head with Spanish giants Real Madrid for the signature of Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi, according to reports.

Officials from the Etihad Stadium working on transfer business are expected to address the wide full-back roles in Pep Guardiola’s squad when the transfer window re-opens for the summer edition of activity.

With a lack of a natural left-back at the football club, and the right side of defence currently occupied by an ageing Kyle Walker albeit with high-level performances, Manchester City may feel that they need to prepare themselves for the future by investing now.

Options may arise from within Manchester City’s academy system, or from across the City Football Group, with Yan Couto – currently excelling while on-loan at La Liga high-flyers Girona – named as a potential option to be assessed during pre-season.

However, the latest information has drawn Manchester City over to the French game, with claims of interest in one of Paris Saint-Germain’s stand-out performers over the past couple of seasons.

According to the information of Spanish newspaper AS, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, ‘several’ clubs are ‘attentive’ to the ongoing situation of Achraf Hakimi at Paris Saint-Germain, including Real Madrid and Manchester City.

From the Manchester City side of things, it is claimed that Etihad Stadium bosses had ‘already asked’ about the defender last summer, when now-club captain Kyle Walker came close to leaving the Premier League champions for Bayern Munich.

Just how much PSG would seek for Hakimi’s signature remains to be seen, however with a contract running until the summer of 2026, the French side would likely be able to command a top-level price tag for their mainstay defensive option.

Across the course of the ongoing 2023/24 season, the 25-year-old has registered 26 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing a further five assists for his teammates.

Three goals and four assists in his aforementioned total have also come in just 17 appearances in Ligue 1 competition, further highlighting the talents and attacking contributions available to potential suitors through Hakimi.