Reported Arsenal target Achraf Hakimi was the highlight of a disappointing Coppa Italia semi-final between Inter Milan and Juventus this week, with Antonio Cassano praising another “devastating” display.
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Zinedine Zidane has come under fire for his apparent reluctance to give youth a chance and the performances of Hakimi and Sergio Reguilon, who left the Bernabau for Inter and Tottenham respectively, have given his critics all the ammunition they need.
After two brilliant years on loan at Borussia Dortmund, Antonio Conte’s Serie A title-chasers struck a £40 million deal to bring Hakimi to the San Siro in July.
And, although the jet-heeled Moroccan failed to add to his impressive tally of six goals and six assists in midweek, he was far and away Inter’s biggest threat during a 0-0 second-leg draw that sent Juventus into the Coppa final.
“It was a dreadful game,” former Real and Inter ace Cassano told Christian Vieri on Twitch.
“Inter had 60% of possession but it was sterile while Juve were only interested in defending. Inter didn’t have a shot on goal. The only player who did something was Achraf Hakimi, who was devastating.”
Arsenal are long-time admirers of Hakimi – a shooting star of a full-back who, in many ways, is developing into the player Gunners fans wanted Hector Bellerin to be.
The London giants may have thought Hakimi had slipped through their grasp when he moved to Italy last year but, according to The Athletic, all hope isn’t lost.
Embroiled in a financial nightmare, the report believes Inter may be forced to cash in on Hakimi in only a few months’ time.
What’s more, they may be willing to sell for the same £40 million fee they paid for him as recently as 2020.
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