Inter Milan Identify Bellerin as the Ideal Replacement for Achraf Hakimi

Hector Bellerin, Arsenal, Hakimi, right-back

Achraf Hakimi is all set to leave Inter Milan for PSG this summer for a proposed fee of €70 million, according to reports and it is only a matter of days before the transfer is announced. Meanwhile, Inter Milan are looking at Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin to fill that vacancy, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Dimarzio. The Nerazzurri consider Bellerin to be the like-for-like replacement for Hakimi.

The Spaniard has been struggling with multiple injury problems for the past few seasons, the most devastating one being his cruciate ligament rupture in 2019 that kept him out for almost 8 months. He is starting to regain his previous form and had a few good performances last season for the Gunners.

Despite all his injury problems, he has been constantly linked to big European clubs during the past few transfer windows. Last season, he was very close to a move to Paris Saint-Germain but stayed back, upon the request of Mikel Arteta.

Hector Bellerin, Hakimi — (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

He made 25 appearances during the 20/21 season, scoring one goal and assisting three times in the process. He started showing glimpses of his former self by displaying his pace and skill with the ball but missed out on a place in the Spanish national team for Euro 2020. However, it seems like Bellerin will finally move out of Arsenal as confirmed by many sources.

Many rumours surfacing in the past few months claimed Bellerin will move to PSG because of Arsenal’s interest to bring Hakimi to the Emirates. Now that Hakimi himself is moving to PSG, that road is closed for Bellerin. But, it is quite certain that he will leave the club this summer and it remains to be seen whether Inter makes a move for him in the coming days.

Hector Bellerin is a modern age right-back who is capable of running up and down the wing with speed and consistency and equally efficient while during an attack, not to forget that his defensive ability has seen a great deal of improvement lately.

His playing style is desired by a lot of clubs and no doubt there will be several suitors for the Spaniard. But, it will be interesting to see how things pan out with Inter Milan as they are said to be in no hurry. We might also witness interest and enquiries from other big clubs if this deal doesn’t go through.

There has always been an interest from Barcelona to bring their La Masia graduate back to the Camp Nou, and now that things are not going well with Sergio Roberto at Barcelona, this story might resurface. Moreover, irrespective of the clubs interested in buying the 26-year-old right-back, Arsenal’s only aim should be to make the most out of this transfer and use it to fund other reinforcements. The North London club’s interest in Tariq Lamptey to replace Bellerin is well known and they might push forward with that if Bellerin leaves the Emirates.

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