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Rabat – The 2021 summer transfer window ended on September 3 in most European leagues. Moving from Italy’s Serie A Champions Inter Milan, the versatile Moroccan international right-back Achraf Hakimi was the most expensive African player of this summer. The 22-year-old joined the French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) – in search of European glory – for €71 million (add-ons included), according to reports.
Achraf Hakimi, however, did not surpass the transfer record of Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen, who left Lille for Napoli for €82 million during the 2020 Mercato, or the Ivory Coast’s Nicolas Pepe, who signed for Arsenal for €80 million in 2019.
In the ranking of the most expensive African players in the summer of 2021, the speedy winger Achraf Hakimi is ahead of two Zambian internationals. They are Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu, who were both playing for Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg.
Globally, the former Inter Milan player has ranked fourth after England’s Jack Grealish – the most expensive player of this summer – who landed at Manchester City for a record fee of €118 million. Belgian Romelu Lukaku ranked second after his move to Chelsea for €115 million, followed by Manchester United’s new acquisition Jadon Sancho (€85 million).
Hakimi’s debut season for PSG so far has been successful. The Madrid-born player has immediately proven himself to be worth the investment. In 4 games played in Ligue 1, he has already revitalized the right flank with his offensive plays, especially with Kylian Mbappe. The duo clearly has strong chemistry both on and off the field.
Overpowered with high-profile signings namely Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos, PSG has their sights set on their long-running dream to achieve the much-coveted title; the Champions League.
