On the latest episode of Tottenham Hotspur podcast The Extra Inch, Chris Miller, Nathan Clark, and @BardiTFC have been discussing the latest goings-on at the north London club, with a focus on some of the players who have been linked with the Lilywhites in recent weeks.
One topic of conversation on the recent episode, which was titled: ‘Sold Elvis, Bought The Beatles‘, was the impending transfer of Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid to Inter. Spurs had been credited with an interest in the Moroccan international in recent months, but it now seems as if the right-back will join Antonio Conte’s side this summer.
This was cause for some frustration on the podcast, with Miller asking Bardi for his thoughts on the 21-year-old defender, saying:
“Hakimi, who seems to be going to Inter for £30 million, does this frustrate you about Levy, Bardi?”
He responds, saying:
“Yeah of course it does. You watch Hakimi, he is a brilliant right-sided attacker, maybe he’s not the best defending, but he would be a substantial upgrade on [Serge] Aurier, and that’s a price which is similar to the Aurier levels. So, of course, it’s frustrating. I thought Hakimi would be someone that we should be looking at. I’ve loved every minute when I’ve watched him play for Dortmund.”
TIF Thoughts…
Hakimi has been in brilliant form for Borussia Dortmund this season; contributing five goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances in the Bundesliga, which has seen him average a superb 7.32 rating (per Whoscored). Therefore, it is perhaps a surprise that Real Madrid seem willing to let him leave, especially when you consider that he is currently valued at £48.6 million. So it seems as if Inter are getting a great deal, if the reported £35.8 million fee is accurate.
Who would you rather have at right-back?
Aurier
Hakimi
Bardi’s point that the Moroccan would be a substantial upgrade on Aurier is perhaps harsh when you consider the former PSG man has averaged an impressive 7.16 rating for his performances in the Premier League this season. However, we can understand his frustration on missing out on a player of Hakimi’s quality.