Fulham are reportedly eyeing a loan deal for Theo Hernandez, who has been given the go-ahead for a temporary move away from Real Madrid.
According to a report by The Sun, Theo Hernandez is the subject of interest from Fulham, who are looking to make late additions to the squad before the English transfer window closes. The Real Madrid defender is set for loan move away from the Bernabeu, with Real Sociedad also interested in him.
Theo Hernandez arrived at Real Madrid from Atletico Madrid last summer after a solid campaign on-loan at Alaves in the 2016-17 season. Having joined Los Blancos with a burgeoning reputation of being one of the best young full-backs in Europe, the excitement at the Bernabeu was understandably high, with the player predicted to be Marcelo’s long-term successor.
But, the season that followed saw him struggle to provide promising signs for the future, although starts did come few and far between. With his status unlikely to change much in the upcoming campaign, there have been suggestions that Real Madrid are looking to send him out on loan in order to gain some first-team experience.
There has been no dearth of interest in Theo either, with a number of clubs making their moves for him. Real Sociedad were considered to be the favourites to land him for a long time. But, the Basque club can not afford his wages, and have asked Real Madrid to pay half of his salary.
La Real now face losing the race to sign Theo on loan this summer, with Fulham swooping in with a stronger offer. The Premier League returnees have offered to pay the player’s £40,000-a-week wages in full in addition to a £1.75 million loan fee.
The 20-year-old’s addition will finally give Slavisa Jokanovic the left-back reinforcements he had been looking for. Theo’s arrival from Real Madrid will also mean that Ryan Sessegnon will be free to play in a more advanced position next season, instead of dropping down into the left-back slot.
In case they fail to land the youngster, the Cottagers do have Eintracht Frankfurt defender Jetro Willems as an alternative. But, having offered to pay Theo’s wages in full, Fulham stand a good chance of convincing Real Madrid to give the green light for the loan deal.
Just five days remain though, for the summer transfer window to slam shut in England. Fulham will thus, have to accelerate the process of completing the deal by amping up negotiations with Real Madrid. But, Theo’s next, temporary destination does seem to be the English capital.
