‘Achraf Hakimi transfer update as Man City pursue Kyle Walker replacement’
Pep Guardiola has made a final decision on his attempt to sign PSG’s Achraf Hakimi as Kyle Walker appears set to leave Man City for good.
Walker spent the second half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at AC Milan, where he made 16 total appearances, with Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes taking it in turns to fill in at right-back.
Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this month that Everton were one of the clubs targeting Walker’s signature, though the Toffees are closing on a move for Fulham’s Kenny Tete.
Hakimi, on the other hand, has become one of the most talented and exciting full-backs in world football, notching nine goals and 12 assists in all competitions last term, so it is no surprise to see interest from the Premier League.
However, even with the Citizens searching for a new right-back to replace a veteran, Guardiola now has to look elsewhere than Ligue 1 if he is to fill the spot in the squad ahead of next season.
Man City to move on from PSG star Achraf Hakimi
According to The Telegraph (22 June), City have accepted that a move for Hakimi will be almost “impossible”, as the search for Walker’s replacement continues into the summer.
In addition to Newcastle United‘s Tino Livramento and Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso, Flamengo right-back Wesley França has emerged on the list of suitors.
However, the 21-year-old has been the subject of a £20million bid from Brighton, having recently starred in the shock 3-1 win over Chelsea at the Club World Cup.
Pep Guardiola not messing around ahead of 2025/26 campaign
Football Insider verdict
Guardiola is clearly attempting to replace the weaknesses in the current squad this summer, having suffered an extremely difficult 2024/25 campaign at the Etihad Stadium.
Kevin De Bruyne has already made the switch to Napoli this summer, with Jack Grealish being left out of the Club World Cup squad in order to find a new home for next season.
Deals for Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri have already been sealed, with the trio being handed their debuts in front of an excited fanbase over in America.
The right-back spot appears to be City’s biggest weakness at this moment in time, but with plenty of the summer transfer window remaining, there is time to find a suitable player for the role.
Lewis was sent off for Man City against Wydad Casablanca, albeit a very unfair decision from referee Ramon Abatti, but it revealed the squad’s biggest weakness as Nunes came on to fill the gap.
Hakimi would be an incredible signing this summer, but with the money already spent by the Citizens, it is highly unlikely that any deal would be possible based on his displays for PSG over the last few seasons.