Arsenal look set to miss out on reported transfer target Achraf Kakimi ahead of this summer.
The Inter Milan right-back was said to be on the Gunners‘ radar, with Hector Bellerin linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Mikel Arteta is said to have promised Bellerin a conversation over his future this summer and that could leave the Gunners needing to find a replacement.
Achraf was named as one of the players Arsenal could turn to, but it now seems as though the right-back will stay put at Inter Milan with his contract set to run until 2025.
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He told Repubblica this week: “I’m planning my future with Inter. I hope to stay for a long time, I’m happy here”.
Achraf only signed for Inter last year on a deal worth £36million from Real Madrid having failed to secure a proper breakthrough at Real Madrid after coming through the club’s academy.
But having become a regular at Inter, it seems Achraf doesn’t want to go anywhere this summer, pledging his future to his current club.
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And according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal will still sign a right-back with Bellerin expected to leave, though Brighton star Tariq Lamptey may not be the man they turn to.
“Arsenal will sign a new right-back but have never opened official talks for Hakimi as of today,” Romano said. “Lamptey is not on top of the list. Bellerin is going to leave the club.”
Bellerin is under contract at Arsenal until 2023, but having convinced him to stay last season, it’s reported Arteta may allow the defender to depart this summer if he does want to return to his home country, Spain.