Theo Hernandez is reportedly set to complete his move to Real Madrid in the summer after passing his medical at the club.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, Real Madrid are set to complete the signing of Theo Hernandez in the summer transfer window after the teenager passed his medical with the club on Monday. Barcelona and Liverpool were interested in the Atletico Madrid defender as well.
Hernandez has enjoyed a sensational rise to prominence this season having joined Alaves on loan from Atletico Madrid last summer. The Basque minnows have surprised everyone with their rise up to 10th in the La Liga table in 2016/17 while also making the final of the Copa Del Rey.
And the French under-20 international has been one of the many success stories for them, emerging as a promising young defender in the current campaign. Hernandez has established himself as a mainstay in defence for Alaves this season, making an impression with his marauding runs down the left flank as well as his reliable presence at the back.
He even has a respectable tally of a goal and four assists to show for his efforts this season, and as the campaign has progressed it has become increasingly evident that he is one of the most exciting young prospects in Europe.
That is why it’s not surprising that some of the best clubs in Europe have been vying for his signature, with the likes of Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid all interested in signing him in the summer. However, the race to land Hernandez looked like a straight fight between the two La Liga heavyweights.
Barcelona have been chasing Hernandez for quite some time now, with Jordi Alba linked with a summer exit from Camp Nou. Recent reports had even suggested that they were leading the race to sign him, after sporting director Robert Fernandez gave him assurances of regular playing time.
However, as per the latest set of reports, Real Madrid have won that race and are on the verge of signing Hernandez after his passed his medical with them. Los Blancos have triggered his €24 million release clause, and with the terms set to be agreed, the 19-year-old will soon put pen to paper on a five-year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The completion of the move will bring about an end to the “non-aggression” pact between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid that said that the two clubs will not sign players from each other. However, Real are of the opinion that that is not the case because of Hernandez’s clause.
Having said that, Real Madrid look to have secured the services of Marcelo’s long-term successor. In the immediate future though, it remains to be seen just how prominently Hernandez features in the first-team picture at the Santiago Bernabeu.
