Real Madrid are reportedly set to launch a raid on Atletico Madrid for Theo Hernandez in the summer.
Spanish publication Marca have reported that Real Madrid are set to sign Theo Hernandez from capital rivals Atletico Madrid in the summer by paying his release clause. The on loan Alaves defender is also being tailed by Liverpool and Barcelona.
Hernandez has progressed through the ranks at Atletico Madrid, making waves at the junior level with Los Rojiblancos before being sent on loan to newly promoted Alaves at the start of the season. And in the 8 months since moving to the Basque club, the highly-rated teenager has made a big impression.
Hernandez has established himself as a mainstay on the left side of the defence for Alaves, and has been one of the many success stories for a club that has taken La Liga by storm, with their rise to 11th in the table. The 19-year-old has played 29 games across all competitions for the club, and has also managed to record 4 assists.
Marca claims #RealMadrid have agreed a deal with #Atleti‘s Theo Hernandez, while Pepe interests #PSG and #MCFC https://t.co/IPEDNIRjGF pic.twitter.com/bN8j9MvcIN
— footballespana (@footballespana_) April 4, 2017
His form this season has now seen Hernandez being rated as one of the most promising talents in Spain, and he is now set for a return to the Spanish capital in the summer, albeit not his parent club. That is because Real Madrid are set to break their “non-aggression pact” with Atletico Madrid to sign the teenager come June.
As per the report, a left-back is one of the top priorities for Real Madrid for the summer transfer window and they have identified Hernandez as an ideal target. Los Blancos are willing to meet the €24 million release clause for the France under-20 international as well, and a move is looking highly likely.
At 19, Hernandez has his entire career ahead of him, and he already boasts a certain skill set that can be developed while being the understudy to Marcelo, who at 29 is already a veteran at the Santiago Bernabeu. The defender can subsequently take over the reins at left-back once the Brazilian calls it a day.
Meanwhile, Atletico view Hernandez as the successor to Filipe Luis, and are willing to do all they can to keep hold of a player who is rated very highly by Diego Simeone. But, they could be resigned to losing the 19-year-old to their city rivals after his agent confirmed his desire to play for Real Madrid recently.
Liverpool and Barcelona are also reported to be in the running to sign Hernandez in the summer, but it remains to be seen if either club can steal a march on Real Madrid, who have raced to the front of the queue for the teenager.
