Barcelona have reportedly matched Real Madrid’s offer for Atletico Madrid defender Theo Hernandez, who is currently on a season-long loan at Alaves.
Spanish publication AS have sensationally claimed that Barcelona have matched Real Madrid’s offer for highly sought-after defender Theo Hernandez. The player, who is currently on loan at fellow La Liga outfit Alaves, has been linked with a controversial move to Real Madrid.
Theo Hernandez’s stock has risen meteorically. A product of the Atletico Madrid academy, the defender and his brother Lucas Hernandez have become two of the hottest young properties in Spain. Theo, in particular, has been impressive and his time at Alaves has alerted clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool among others.
This season, Theo has starred as a regular part of the Alaves backline, which has been the backbone of the club’s current position on the La Liga Santander table. The 19-year-old has featured 26 times in the league for Alavas, with 4 assists to his name.
Theo Hernandez has a verbal agreement with Real Madrid to sign a 5-year deal. He will cost €24m. [MARCA] pic.twitter.com/LeBkuROGdz
— ZIZOU (@RMadridCastilla) April 10, 2017
Los Blancos have been sensationally linked with an offer for Theo Hernandez, which means that the club is ready to break its agreement with Atletico Madrid to not sign each other’s players. Los Rojiblancos do not have many options at hand, with the player having a €24 million release clause in his contract.
But, now, Barcelona seemed to have matched Real Madrid’s offer as well.
However, Barcelona’s offer to Theo is financially less attractive compared to Real Madrid’s, who have offered the player a five-year contract with an average annual net salary of €7 million, with €6 million in the first two years and increasing €1m a year, every year after the second year.
Still, as per the report, Theo’s agent and Atletico Madrid both prefer Barcelona. Even though Los Rojiblancos would hate to lose such a prospect, they would much rather see the French Under-20 international move to Barcelona than their fierce rivals – Real Madrid.
Theo’s agent Manuel Garcia Quilon has a strained relationship with Florentino Perez after the president’s treatment of Rafa Benitez. Even Theo has had his head turned by Barcelona’s offer, which despite being financially less viable, might see him become a full-fledged starter sooner than at Santiago Bernabeu.
Theo Hernandez- looks a future world class LB. #LFC have been linked with him today.
Would be a great signing pic.twitter.com/YSPz2qiZO2— Raj Chohan (@rajsinghchohan) April 6, 2017
There are reports that Jordi Alba, whose performances have come under the scanner and who has been linked with a move elsewhere, could be offloaded to make room for Theo, who would be made the first-choice left-back over compatriot Lucas Digne, if he were to agree to join Barcelona.
The aforementioned prospect of being the first-choice left-back is unlikely to be available at either Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid. Diego Simeone has admitted to having a chat with Theo as regards his future. But, with the release clause present, it will be down to Theo as to which club he chooses to play for in the summer.
