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Topics: Achraf Hakimi, Morocco, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Football, Transfers, Manchester United
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Achraf Hakimi, Morocco, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Football, Transfers, Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to rejoin Real Madrid.
Hakimi, 24, has enhanced his reputation as one of the world's best full-backs with a series of hugely-impressive performances for Morocco at the World Cup.
Hakimi has played a key role in helping his national side reach the semi-finals of the tournament, where they will face defending champions France on Wednesday night.
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Morocco became the first African side to reach the last four of the World Cup after beating Portugal in their quarter-final, days after Hakimi has scored the winning penalty in a shootout against Spain in the round of 16.
Hakimi, who was born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, is now being linked with a return to Real Madrid – the club where he began his professional career.
The right-back made only a handful of first-team appearances for Madrid, also spending two seasons out on loan at Borussia Dortmund, before being sold to Inter Milan in 2020.
After just one year in Italy, he moved to PSG and has since made 62 appearances for the club, scoring seven times.
According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid are considering a bid for the defender, who was also linked with Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
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Spanish outlet Relevo claim Hakimi would be "delighted" to return to Real Madrid and would even be willing to take a pay cut to seal a move back to the European and Spanish champions.
However, PSG are said to be reluctant to sell Hakimi, who is under contract with the French club until 2026.
While the speculation continues over his club career, Hakimi's immediate focus will be on Wednesday’s historic World Cup semi-final against France.
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He is set to come up against his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe and Morocco head coach Walid Regragui is expecting an intense battle between the two stars of their respective national sides.
"It's going to be a great duel between the two," Regragui told reporters on Tuesday.
"They're both champions, world-class players and they're both going to be going at it.
"We should be focusing on what we can do to cause problems for France … we’re going to have to counter the threat of Kylian.
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"But I have no doubt that Hakimi will be on top form to get the better of his friend."