Bayern Munich remains interested in Achraf Hakimi

Bayern Munich will likely strengthen the right side of the defense. Numerous reports in Germany have hinted that Die Roten will look to sign a right-back/wing-back in the summer after Bouna Sarr failed to impress during his debut season. Inter Milan’s Achraf Hakimi has been heavily linked with a move to Bavaria in the past few weeks.

According to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, Bayern Munich is one of the clubs interested in Moroccan full-back. However, the German Champions will have to move quickly since Paris Saint-Germain has opened talks with Inter Milan. The Italian Champions are looking for a price worth €80 million (including bonuses) for the young wing-back. Chelsea is another club that is strongly interested in the young defender. Meanwhile, RMC in France is reporting that talks are progressing well between PSG and Inter Milan.

Die Roten will be surely interested in Hakimi since he is a top-quality young player. However, the transfer fee demanded by Inter Milan is way beyond the club’s reach for this summer. Earlier this week, former club President Uli Hoeness insisted that the German Champions will not be spending heavily during the summer transfer window.

Bayern worked with Inter Milan previously to sign Ivan Perisic on a one-year loan deal. However, Die Roten couldn’t agree to a transfer fee to sign Perisic permanently after a successful loan deal. Since Inter Milan desperately needs cash to relieve some pressure on the club’s finances, it is unlikely they will bring down Hakimi’s transfer fee.

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Hakimi will definitely provide an edge to Die Roten on the pitch, but the transfer fee will make sure that the German club will have to look at other options to fill this position. Alphonso Davies and Omar Richards are solid options in the left-back position, but the same cannot be said about the right-back.

Benjamin Pavard is a reliable performer for Die Roten on the right side. He was terrific in his first season but struggled last year. The Frenchman provides defensive solidity on the right side with limited attacking impetus in the final third. Moreover, Pavard may have to play in central defense on few occasions next season after the departures of three players that slotted in the heart of the defense.

Die Roten missed out on Sergino Dest last summer. The young American full-back opted to join Barcelona. Dest would have been the perfect profile of right-back to have in the squad. Rekordmeister eventually completed the signing of Bouna Sarr, which has not panned out the way the club would have expected.

Julian Nagelsmann does emphasise on the width provided by full-backs or wingbacks when he plays three at the back. Hakimi would have been a terrific addition for this role, but Nagelsmann and Die Roten cannot afford the move after paying a big fee for Dayot Upamecano.