Theo Hernández and Achraf Hakimi were thought to be the next great full-back duo at Real Madrid. However, Los Blancos ended up selling the Frenchman to Milan in 2019, before allowing the Moroccan international to join their city rivals Inter a year later. So why did the Spanish champions relinquish their two prize assets so easily?
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano via Calciomercato.com, the reasons behind the two operations are very different from one another.
In Theo’s case, the Madrid hierarchy weren’t too impressed with the development of the young left-back who spent the 2018-2019 on loan at Real Sociedad, and opted to maintain their long time serving Brazilian Marcelo – who is a favorite of Zinedine Zidane – while investing in Ferland Mendy as the future heir for the role.
The same can’t be said about Achraf Hakimi. After spending two seasons on loan with Borussia Dortmund, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that the 21-year-old is one of the most impressive wing-backs in the world.
But instead of returning to the white castle to give Dani Carvajal a real run for his money, the Madrid hierarchy immediately sold the young man to Inter.
The reason behind this operation – according to Romano – is strictly economical, as Los Blancos are suffering financially – especially after the the Covid-19 pandemic – which explains why they didn’t sign new players during last summer, and the same is expected for the January market..
Our View on Theo and Hakimi Sales
As they say, one club’s loss is another club’s gain – or maybe two in this case. Madrid’s hands may have been forced in the Hakimi sale, and recuperating 40m euros for a youth product is not exactly a disastrous deal.
Nonetheless, the Spanish giants obviously made a mistake in their assessment of Theo Hernández who they allowed to leave for just 20m euros and is currently considered one of Milan’s most important stars.
In conclusion, Milan and Inter should be lauded for seizing the opportunity to land Theo and Hakimi from a possibly regretful Real Madrid.