Transfer Market: Is Achraf Hakimi Returning to Real Madrid?

According to reports from a Marca journalist, Achraf Hakimi, 27, is reportedly considering a return to Real Madrid, the club where he was developed and began his professional career but never established himself long-term. Nevertheless, such a transfer appears fraught with complications.

The prospect of Hakimi returning to his roots? Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon, a contributor to Radio Marca, states that Achraf Hakimi (27) wishes to rejoin Real Madrid, his formative club and hometown team. It was there in 2017 that he made his professional debut, playing 17 matches and winning two trophies under Zinédine Zidane: a Club World Cup and a Champions League.

An Anticipated Reunion with Kylian Mbappé?

According to the same journalist, the Moroccan international (93 caps, 11 goals) is reportedly "willing to do whatever it takes to make his return." However, such a move is complicated, as the right-back is under contract with PSG until 2029. He joined the Parisian club in 2021 for approximately 70 million euros from Inter Milan. Since his arrival, he has become a pivotal player, achieving superstar status and winning the Champions League in 2025 after an exceptional personal season, scoring in the first leg of the quarter-finals, the second leg of the semi-finals, and in the final.

"His contractual commitment until 2029 makes the transfer challenging, but relations between Real Madrid and PSG have recently improved," the journalist notes. If he were to sign with Real, he could reunite with his close friend Kylian Mbappé, with whom he forged a strong bond during their time together at PSG (2021-2024). Despite progressing through all the youth ranks at Real Madrid, Hakimi never truly got his long-term chance in the first team. He was initially loaned for two years to Borussia Dortmund (2018-2020), where he burst onto the European scene and added a title to his achievements (German Supercup in 2019).

At the end of his loan in the summer of 2020, Real Madrid, still managed by Zinédine Zidane, made the decision to sell him permanently to Inter Milan for 43 million euros. In Italy, the right-back further advanced his career, winning Serie A before joining PSG the very next summer. In the French capital, Hakimi became an essential player for all coaches, including Luis Enrique, who made him indispensable (53 matches in 2024-2025). He concluded that season by finishing 6th in the Ballon d'Or rankings and being named African Player of the Year.