Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid defender’s agent sparks hope of future return – ‘Nothing is impossible’
There are not many academy players in recent years that Real Madrid will rue letting go of as much as they will kick themselves for allowing Achraf Hakimi to leave.
The Moroccan international, after all, is one of the best right-backs in world football and was in their very own academy for years.
Despite knowing well of his prowess, however, they opted to ship him away and he is now one of the key cogs in the reigning European champions’ setup.
Hakimi’s agent talks of a return
The former Real Madrid star’s agent Alejandro Camano spoke to the media recently and was quizzed about a possible return to Real Madrid for his client.
“Hakimi’s return to Real Madrid? He’s happy in Paris where he’s tied to a contract until 2029, but in football nothing is impossible. Real Madrid is his home,” he said via AS, making it clear that it was well on the cards.
The 27-year-old Moroccan international, after all, is a Real Madrid academy graduate and completed most of his development and growth at the Spanish capital.
He was promoted from the Real Madrid U19 side to the U21 side officially in 2016 before making it to the first team for a brief period in July 2017.
Hakimi then left on loan to Borussia Dortmund where he played for two seasons before returning to Real Madrid and immediately signing for Inter Milan.
In 2021, the player made the switch from Italy to France and signed for PSG where he has gone on to become a mainstay and even win the UEFA Champions League.
Still just 27 years of age, he has some of his best years ahead of him. Firmly labelled one of the best right-backs on the planet, there is no doubt now that Real Madrid would snap him up in an instant especially given his history at the club.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
