Real Madrid is aiming to make a deal with AC Milan for the return of former academy player Theo Hernandez. Theo and brother Lucas came through the youth system at rivals Atletico Madrid, but Theo signed for Real Madrid after an impressive season on-loan at Deportivo Alaves. Now, given his form has seen him become a major part of the French national team and a leader at Milan, Madrid are keen to make a deal with the Rossoneri.
Madrid has, on the face of it, a very Francophone squad. Star forward Karim Benzema has been joined in recent years by the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. Young French players are naturally drawn to Los Blancos thanks to historical stars like Zinedine Zidane who wore the famous white shirt. The club also has a long hankering for France star Kylian Mbappe.
So, the arrival of Hernandez makes a lot of sense. The player is believed to be keen on a move back to Spain, too, after fruitful years in Milan. He played a role in the Milanese giants winning the Serie A title in 2022, and also has been a critical part of their UEFA Champions League run this year, when they reached the last four. However, with Milan still uncertain about their top four place for next year, plans are made to cut costs and rebuild the squad.
Though the Diavolo would be loathe to lose one of their most important players, the fee involved and the players desire for a return to Span might make it tough to say no. Madrid are believed to be keen to land the player after seeing the club have to use the likes of Camavinga at left-back due to a dearth of quality options.
Madrid not interested in Mbappe deal this summer
One player who was linked heavily with a move to Madrid this summer was the aforementioned Mbappe. However, while his current club Paris Saint-Germain are ready to dispense of the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi, Mbappe is seen as untouchable. He is seen as the face of the upcoming rebuild expected in Paris, with the club keen to keep him until at least the summer of 2024.
Given the strife expected in Paris this summer, the fee that Madrid could offer is not likely to be enough to entice the Parisians into a sale. There is little appetite to move on from Mbappe, and though the player had made clear in the past he would consider leaving it appears now that he is happy to stay put.
Madrid are keen to do a deal for Mbappe when the time comes, but it is believed that they would rather sign the player on a free transfer as opposed to deal with the headache of negotiating what would likely be a world-record fee. With Mbappe out of contract in 2025, there is a belief that Madrid will play the long game as they try to land the France star. Many clubs are looking towards Asia in order to find ‘new blood’, good example is Liverpool FC eyeing up new Japanese star on free transfer.
