Speculation is rife that Hector Bellerin will be leaving Arsenal this summer.
According to Charles Watts of Goal.com, ‘everybody is in agreement’ that a departure for the Spain international makes perfect sense over the coming months.
Question is, who do Arsenal get to replace him?
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been using Calum Chambers as a right-back in recent months but the North Londoners need a higher calibre of player to replace Bellerin.
Achraaf Hakimi has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in recent months.
The trail has gone cold lately but after events of this week, it could be back on.
That’s because Antonio Conte, the man who brought Hakimi to Inter Milan from Real Madrid in a £40 million deal, has just quit as head coach of the newly-crowned Italian champions.
Let’s not forget that Inter have major financial worries and selling players is a real possibility this summer.
For those two combined reasons, it’s very possible that Hakimi will be leaving San Siro and therefore Arsenal should certainly enquire about the situation, if they haven’t already.
Faster than Aubameyang
The 22-year-old’s pace would make him an absolute nightmare for Premier League left-backs.
In fact, it was reported by Goal last year that Hakimi – who had a loan at Borussia Dortmund – was the quickest player in Bundesliga history, which means he is quicker than a prime Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
But crucially, he can also defend and at 22, is only going to get so much better.
Whether that’s at Arsenal or not remains to be seen, but Conte’s exit certainly makes his situation more uncertain.
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