I thought Ashraf was going to go back to Real Madrid
Last night, Beijing time, the 2019/2020 Bundesliga season came to an end. Moroccan wing-back Ashraf Hakimi ended his two-year loan spell at Borussia Dortmund. Just when everyone thought That Ashraf would return to Real Madrid, a surprising news suddenly came out: Serie A side Inter Milan had bought him for a transfer fee of up to 40 million euros.
■ New Express reporter Wang Di
Bundesliga for two years
The "North African Magic Wings" soared into the sky
Ashraf is a standard "white kid", debuting in Castile (Real Madrid's academy) and making his debut at the age of 19. In the 2017/2018 season, Ashraf made nine appearances at Real Madrid, eight of them starting and scoring two goals. In the summer of 2018, Ashraf also played in the World Cup in Russia as Morocco's main right-back, playing three group games.
Unable to secure a stable first-team playing time, Ashraf left Real Madrid after the World Cup in Russia. In order to improve their experience, Real Madrid loaned Ashraf to "Hornets" Dortmund for two years. In two seasons at Borussia Dortmund, Ashraf grew up very quickly. In the 2018/2019 season, he made 21 appearances, scoring 2 goals and assisting 4 times; In the 2019/2020 season, he made 33 appearances, scoring 5 goals and assisting 10 times. As a full-back, Ashraf's statistics are very eye-catching, and he has become the hottest "wing on the wing" in football.
Ashraf's performance has attracted the attention of many big teams. Borussia Dortmund tried to buy him out, but unfortunately the €20 million transfer offer failed to satisfy Real Madrid, and Ashraf had to choose to leave Borussia Dortmund. After determining that Ashraf would not be able to stay in the squad, Borussia Dortmund signed free agent Thomas Meunier (29) ahead of schedule. It seems that Ashraf's return to Real Madrid is a foregone conclusion, and Real Madrid fans are also looking forward to Ashraf becoming the right side of the team.
Refuse to substitute
Inter welcomes "McCon II"
However, Real Madrid boss Zidane is not too "cold" to Ashraf. In Zidane's tactical structure, Carvajal, who has a balanced offensive and defensive ability, is the right-back, and Ashraf, who is "strong in attack and weak in defense", can only play as a substitute.
Zidane's attitude disappointed Ashraf, and real Madrid's contract extension also made him feel cold. According to the previously signed contract, Ashraf's contract with Real Madrid is still two years away, and in order to avoid leaving the team at a low price next year, Real Madrid decided to sell Ashraf this summer. For a time, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and many other giants have expressed their intention to buy - Manchester United even hesitated to offer 60 million euros.
Unexpectedly, on Friday night local time, a number of Italian and Spanish media disclosed that Ashraf "silently" and Inter Milan reached a 5-year contract. Inter paid Real Madrid a transfer fee of 40 million euros, and his annual after-tax salary at Inter will reach 50 million euros. It is reported that Ashraf will attend Inter's medical examination on June 30.
It was indeed a good idea for Ashraf to go to Inter. Inter boss Conte's three-centre-back tactical system is very dependent on wing-backs, and here Ashraf can better play his own characteristics. Moreover, Inter has always been a right-back paradise, with both Zanetti and McCón reaching the peak of their careers at Inter, especially McCone, who is still the benchmark for right-back in football. For Inter, the 22-year-old Ashraf not only has the potential to become "McCon II", but even has the potential to surpass McCon.
Small facts
Ashraf
achraf hakimi
Nationality: Moroccan/Spanish
Birthday: 1998.11.4
Height: 181cm
Position: Right-back/right-wing-back