How Real Madrid will line up with Mbappe and Hakimi

Cameron Smith

• 21 Feb 2023 12:04 CST
• 3 min read

Kylian Mbappe has reportedly demanded Real Madrid to bring his current Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Achraf Hakimi with him if he's to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Mbappe, 24, is very close friends with Hakimi and wants to continue playing with the Moroccan at club level, according to Todofichajes.

The France international was close to joining Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer, but made a U-turn and decided to extend his stay at PSG until 2025.

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However, talk over Mbappe joining Real Madrid this summer or next is growing once more.

Mbappe has reportedly grown disillusioned at the Parc des Princes and wants to leave the club just 12 months after signing a contract extension.

Furthermore, Marca have reported that Real Madrid are ready to renew their attempts to sign Mbappe this summer, despite the presence of Vinicius Junior.

READ: Mbappe demands Real Madrid sign THIS player

As for Hakimi, he would solve Real Madrid's issue at right-back. Dani Carvajal is 30 this year, Lucas Vazquez is also getting older and is traditionally a winger, while Alvaro Odriozola is not considered good enough. Mbappe himself believes Hakimi will be a big upgrade on all three.

How Real Madrid could line up with Mbappe and Hakimi

Thibaut Courtois would keep his place in goal, while Hakimi would slot in seamlessly at right-back.

Ferland Mendy could get the nod on the opposite flank, but David Alaba could allow Carlo Ancelotti to alter his tactics to invert to a back three with Hakimi pushed forward and Alaba tucked inside. Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao will partner each other in the middle.

Eduardo Camavinga could force his way into the starting XI, but the favoured trio will likely be Aurelien Tchouameni behind Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

Mbappe has no natural home at Madrid due to the presence of Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema. Therefore, he may be shoved onto the right flank in place of Federico Valverde. Even so, it's not a role that he has played since his first season at PSG. Therefore, the front three may not function in perfect harmony.