Chelsea target Achraf Hakimi not staying at Borussia Dortmund, ‘will return’ to Real Madrid

The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on football remains unknown, although it is expected to be massive, even in comparison with other sectors of the world economy. The impact will be felt at all levels, and even those clubs at the top whose livelihoods are not threatened will feel it in the transfer market.

Clubs, agents, and the players themselves will be well advised to dampen their expectations of financial gains this summer. And that includes one Achraf Hakimi, who’s currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund from Real Madrid.

The speedy right back has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Chelsea and Inter Milan, thanks to two years of great displays at Signal Iduna Park. However with the market runneth dry, his agent, Alejandro Camaño, has played down the idea of anything drastic happening this summer.

“There is no such offer [from Inter Milan]. We will return to Madrid.”

-Alejandro Camaño; source: Assahifa via Mundo Deportivo

In fairness, Hakimi’s return to Real had been mooted before, and it could also be that he returns only to leave again a few weeks later. But if Real Madrid decide to keep him at the Santiago Bernabéu, it’d be hard to argue that they made the wrong decision.

PS. Here’s a great goal he scored just today, complete with non-socially distanced celebrations then touching his mouth.