You can’t go against your heart. This even goes for professional footballers. Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain just a few days ago in a $66 million deal, but there is only place for one club in his heart – and it’s not PSG.The flying full-back grew up at Real Madrid’s academy but could never establish himself as a first-team regular in the Spanish capital. A two-year loan at Borussia Dortmund put him on the map, and Inter swooped to sign him for $45 million less than a year ago. He’s had an excellent season as his black and blues romped to their first Scudetto win in a decade. However, financial troubles kicked in, and Hakimi was sold to Paris Saint-Germain to balance the books.Done deal! Achraf Hakimi signs for Paris Saint-Germain as new-look defence takes shapeAlthough he’s just joined a rich, well-supported and ambitious club, Hakimi still hopes to get a chance in Madrid. Speaking to radio station Onda Cero, Hakimi’s agent Alejandro Camano revealed that Real Madrid had an option to match Paris’ offer and bring Hakimi back to Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Still, not even Los Blancos could compete with the wealthy Parisians in the transfer market.”Real Madrid had the right of first refusal until Paris and Inter said that the transfer was finalised. We reserve the illusion and the dream that Achraf will return to Real Madrid someday. He was born in Madrid, he grew up there and, as a final goal, he would like to play for Real Madrid at some point in his career.”🎙Achraf Hakimi’s 🇲🇦 agent: “We reserve the dream that Achraf will return to Real Madrid, because he was born in Madrid, grew up in Madrid and as a final goal, one day, he would like to play for Real Madrid.” #RMAlive #PSG pic.twitter.com/sQzjdPV8TD— RouteOneFootball (@Route1futbol) July 9, 2021 The Saints of Paris weren’t the only club that was in for the Moroccan. Camano says that Stamford Bridge was a possible destination for his client but that he preferred Parc des Princes.”Chelsea also bid for Achraf. The fact that they were crowned champions of Europe perhaps threw him back a little.”A Morocco international since 2016, Hakimi has won 36 caps for his country and has scored four goals while laying on another six assists for the Atlas Lions, who featured at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
