Hakimi pushes for Real Madrid return as PSG hold firm on 80m valuation
Achraf Hakimi has made no secret of where he wants to play next. Reports from multiple outlets claim the Morocco international is pushing to return to Real Madrid, the club where he came through the academy before being sold to Inter Milan in 2020.
A boyhood dream that never faded
Hakimi joined PSG from Inter in 2021 and has established himself as one of the best right-backs in world football. The 27-year-old signed a contract extension in February 2025 that runs until June 2029 and made him the highest-paid fullback in the game. At the time, it looked like PSG had settled the matter.
Barely a year later, reports suggest Hakimi's desire to play for Real Madrid again has resurfaced. Sources in Spain and France indicate the player is prepared to push for a move, though PSG currently have no intention of selling. The Ligue 1 club reportedly values Hakimi at around 80 million euros, a figure Real Madrid are unwilling to meet right now.
Real Madrid's right-back situation
Real Madrid's interest in Hakimi is not new. The club explored bringing him back on a free transfer before he signed his PSG extension. With Dani Carvajal entering the twilight of his career, Madrid's long-term planning at right-back points toward a younger, more dynamic option. Hakimi, who spent time on loan at Borussia Dortmund before his Inter move, fits the profile perfectly.
The complication is cost. Hakimi's contract gives PSG enormous leverage. Even if the player pushes to leave, his club can afford to wait. Real Madrid have historically preferred to avoid paying premium fees for players they could sign on reduced terms a year or two later.
PSG's position of strength
With three years still remaining on his deal, PSG are under zero pressure. The club has already lost Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid on a free transfer and will be keen to avoid another high-profile departure that strengthens a direct Champions League rival. If Hakimi does leave this summer, PSG will expect full market value.
The standoff could drag through the window. Hakimi reportedly favours Madrid over any other destination, which limits PSG's ability to start an auction. But 80 million euros for a player who wants out is not an unreasonable starting point for negotiations, and both clubs know it.
Other clubs circling
While Real Madrid remains Hakimi's preference, the transfer market rarely moves in straight lines. Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich have all been credited with interest in previous windows, though none appear to be seriously involved at this stage. The likely outcome is a summer of back-and-forth between Madrid and Paris, with Hakimi's determination the variable that could tip the balance.
