Former Inter Milan defender Fulvio Collovati has expressed his desire to see the club hold on to attacker Lautaro Martinez, following the recent sale of Achraf Hakimi.
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Former Inter Milan defender Fulvio Collovati has expressed his desire to see the club hold on to attacker Lautaro Martinez, amidst interest from some of the best teams in world football. The Serie-A defending champions recently sold full-back Achraf Hakimi to Paris St Germain (PSG), marking a blow to their hopes of mounting a strong challenge next season. Collovati termed Hakimi as a tough player to replace, expressing his views in an editorial for Italian news outlet Gazzetta.
“I hope there are no surprises when it comes to Lautaro Martinez, but we need a third striker. Lautaro will return from Copa America, and it is an aspect to consider. We need to find a profile that will give continuity in goals and performances when others are absent. Giacomo Raspadori would be fine. And he is not playing the European Championships: he would arrive fresh all in all. But it depends on the financial resources. Hakimi was like Leonardo Spinazzola in these first matches at the European Championships, a big impact. He is a difficult player to replace. Finding a replacement at his level is difficult, but at least you have to try to catch someone who plays with the speed and energy he does. Hector Bellerin or Manuel Lazzari could be good solutions, even if Hakimi is on another level,” he said as quoted by Sempre Inter.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender Achraf Hakimi recently termed himself as a defender who thinks like a striker. Hakimi elaborated on this statement by discussing his desire to contribute to the attack and be present in the attacking areas. The 22-year-old has joined the French champions on a five-year contract. The promising wing-back arrives at the Parc des Princes from Inter Milan, having made his presence felt at the Serie A club as well as Borussia Dortmund.
“The truth is that I’m a defender with the mind of a striker! I like to contribute to the attack, be in attacking areas and I think that here there are great players who will be able to help me. And above all that I can help the team achieve its goals. I have to help the team with my qualities and put them at the team’s disposal, to help it and achieve what we all want, to reach all the goals. In defence, I can play in a back 3, 5, 4, 2. Whatever the coach needs. I’m at his and the team’s disposal. I’m happy to be here, I can’t wait to take the next step, I can’t wait to get started, to meet my teammates and to be able to do great things here,” he said as quoted by PSG’s official website.
The new Paris Saint-Germain defender stated that he has a very good image of France, terming his new team as a great club.
“The truth is that I have a good image of France. PSG is a great club and they have shown it in recent years, by improving constantly. From my point of view, I want to continue building something great and reach the very top. That’s possible here. My opinion of the club is above all the fantastic players that are here and obviously, big players want to come to a great club like Paris. So I’m happy to be here and to be part of the team,” said Hakimi.
