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After weeks of speculation on whether Bayern Munich might pursue Achraf Hakimi, it appears that the Bavarians will take a pass on the 21-year-old rising star.
Hakimi, a Real Madrid product currently on loan with Borussia Dortmund, has the pace and tantalizing ability to crash upfield, but both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid view the player as a defensive liability, according to Sport Bild.
Despite the recent rumours linking Achraf Hakimi to Bayern, the club's bosses consider that he's too weak defensively to play in a back four. Real manager Zinedine Zidane has the same opinion. In Dortmund, he plays a different role as a wing-back in a 3-4-3 [@SPORTBILD] pic.twitter.com/jwGxblfRRf
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) June 24, 2020
One of the reasons why both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are hesitant to commit to Hakimi is that his role as a wing-back with Borussia Dortmund gives him fewer defensive responsibilities than he would have playing in a traditional back-four alignment favored by both Bayern Munich’s Hansi Flick and Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane. Both clubs allegedly feel as if Hakimi would struggle in their respective formations.
From a Bayern Munich perspective, the emergence of Benjamin Pavard as the unquestioned starter at right-back has also probably cooled any interest the Bavarians had in Hakimi. While the club is still reportedly looking for depth at the position, it would seem unlikely that Hakimi would move to a club that would not guarantee him a starting role.
Per the report, a decision on Hakimi’s future is expected to be made in August. As of now, it looks as if an extended stay with Borussia Dortmund is the player’s most likely scenario.