Al-Hilal are ready to try again for Theo Hernandez, a report claims, while Atletico Madrid seem to have turned to another target.
Theo has just over 12 months left on his deal and recently it was claimed that Milan and Al-Hilal had agreed a deal worth around €35m, bonuses included. Theo rejected the move though, hoping to get a top European club, with Atletico Madrid then entering the scene.
Then, when things seem to be progressing towards a conclusion, Atletico decided to walk away from the negotiating table.
Theo to Al-Hilal back on?
According to Fabrizio Romano (via MilanPress), Theo could still leave Milan but it will not be Atletico Madrid that he goes to, as Los Colchoneros have not reached an agreement over a transfer fee.
Al-HIlal – who had got the green light from Milan on the transfer fee – do not seem to have given up. Having noted that the extra window for the Club World Cup is over, the Saudi club are preparing for a new assault for both Theo Hernandez and Victor Osimhen to give Simone Inzaghi two top signings.
Meanwhile, Romano adds on his X: “Atlético Madrid top target at left back is Andy Robertson, appreciated internally as ideal candidate.
“Not an easy deal at Liverpool rate him highly even with Kerkez due to join the club soon. Atléti have Robertson higher than Theo on their shortlist at LB so far.”
It was clear that Atlètico didn’t really want him, he was pushing hard for the deal.
Even the Atlètico fans don’t want him, they don’t like his disruptive attitude and also for the way he left them and switched to Real Madrid. They see him as a traitor.
I know even himself would be surprised why clubs aren’t lining up for him, because in all honesty, in terms of ability, he’s still one of the best LB out there.
But with a bad attitude, even your ability will be downplayed.
Scoring goals and getting assists doesn’t make you “one of the best LBs out there”. Being an LB is primarily about defending. Theo is not a great defender. Our defense has been our liability for the past 5-6 seasons. People blame a lack of midfield cover, and that has something to do with it, but when your LB is constantly out of position or unable to mark their man, that contributes to defensive failure too. Perhaps he should have been converted to a winger, much like Gareth Bale, who as you may recall started his career as a fullback.
Well, that’s up in the air for a conversation.
If we play 3 at the back like we did last season, (purely talent wise) he would still be considered a good fit.
Untrue. Milan had the best defense in Serie A (tied with Napoli) when they won the Scudetto. Théo also improved drastically in that regard over the years, being praised for his defensive skills during the last Euro with France. These days everybody has his own storytelling on this comment section.
Only because they have kessie in front of the defense.
Tomori was also looked world class during the scudetto season.
“It was clear that Atletico didn’t really want him”
Really? Or is that because they pulled their offer seeing as Furlani wanted more money for him … drooling over the Saudi offer? 15-20m for a player on an expiring contract is more than fair. Yes there are examples where clubs overpay on final year contract players for a whole host of reasons but the majority of cases don’t end up like this.
I do however agree that he’s still one for the best even if this season wasn’t up to par. Why clubs aren’t lining up for him? Maybe they’re set with left back or maybe, just maybe they don’t want to deal with our shenanigans 🤷♂️
This same Atlètico Madrid six years ago offered over €22m for an older Kerin Trippier on the last year of his deal, for the club to be headstrong on this offer needs no further explanation of how well they need Theo.
“just maybe they don’t want to deal with our shenanigans…”
Well, it depends, are you trying to say Theo is guilty?
Because besides that, I see no shenanigans, Manchester City walked in and closed a deal worth €75m and everyone is happy. Is it for a mere €15m deal that non existent protocols will surface?
This is a lame conversation.
Whichever way you try to tilt it, one thing is sacrosanct, Theo is not in hot demand and we all know it’s because of his attitude.
Many rich club buying LB this season more expensive than ACM asking price for theo ( 30m euro) example : RM buying alvaro carreraz, liverpool buying kerkez, MC buying new LB( forgot his name) for 35m poundsterling. Accepting offer for 15-18m euro for starter in like theo ( club & nation) are very embarassing, if you accept that , later other club will push 10m euro for buying maignan. Deschamp need to change formation to 352 to free theo from defense
Does anyone still wonder why no club is making an offer for Theo and they haven’t done so in previous years? The answer should be obvious to everyone, it’s his totally unprofessional attitude that hasn’t gone unnoticed by those in the football world. The same can be said about Leao who hasn’t received any concrete and serious transfer offers in all these years he’s been playing for Milan…
The issue with AM wasn’t the fee, the fans protested so they backed out. I doubt even this management is stupid enough to turn down the €20 million or so that AM offered.
The fans protested selling a player with a p!ss poor attitude and 1 year left on contract for 20M? Come on man. Source?
He is talking about the Atletico Madrid fanbase protesting over the prospect that him joining them as they see him as traitor.
GDS I believe . The Atleti fans seem to not like him
Best left back in the world we were told.
27 years old. Prime football years.
1 year left on his contract.
He wants to leave, the club wants him gone.
His price is around 20 m and yet all these clubs prefer other players who are more expensive than him.
I wonder why none of them wants him 🤔.
Uhhh the reason no one is coming for him is bc they know he’ll be free in a year lol. Why pay ANYTHING when it’s so clear Milan don’t want him?
The left back that Atletico prefers over Theo Hernández, Andy Robertson, also have a year left on his contract.
Harry Kane also had 1 year left on his contract, everyone knew he was leaving the next year and yet Bayern still shelled out a 100 million for him at age 30.
Lille sold Leny Yoro for €70m with one year left on his contract.
Reason: he was in high demand as there was bidding war between Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United.
There’s levels man, a club will prefer to wait when the player isn’t priority.
Theo can’t play wings because he isn’t good at one on one
Doesn’t seem like no club particularly wants Theo. I wonder if it has anything to do with his form continuously dipping last few seasons…
I guess it IS true that you reap what you sow… Maybe Theo needs to swallow his pride, take a pay cut on a bumper deal and actually improve so that clubs DO take him…
Crazy thought.
He can go for free and get the salary/destination he wants next season.
Athletico didn’t negotiate for 3/4m salary.
Theo don’t like to go to UK/Germany that brings him less no of big club’s he can go.
You can see next year, he will go for better salary and to a big club not to some Saudi club.
All teams know that he will be free next year or Milan will accept less fee in the end.
His reaping the rewards of his poor attitude and his treacherous past.
Should have sold him as soon as Atletico offered 15M€.
Now we’re probably going to watch him leave for free next season.