Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly interested in making a move for AC Milan full-back Theo Hernandez.
According to a report from Spanish publication MARCA, Manchester United and Manchester City are set to battle it out for the signing of former Real Madrid starlet Theo Hernandez, who has had an impressive 2019-20 season with AC Milan.
Hernandez came through the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid and made the jump to arch rivals Real Madrid in 2017. Having been unable to displace Marcelo as the first-choice left-back, the Frenchman joined Real Sociedad on loan in 2018, before sealing a permanent move to AC Milan last summer. The Rossoneri shelled out a transfer fee of €20 million for the 22-year-old.
Since arriving in Italy though, Hernandez has shone bright. So far, the former French U21 international has racked up 25 appearances across all competitions for Milan, bagging six goals and setting up two more, overtaking Ricardo Rodriguez as the first-choice in the process.
Hernandez’s growth over the last season seemingly hasn’t gone unnoticed with both the Manchester clubs taking an interest in the 22-year-old, according to the report.
Manchester United have the left-back department pretty much sorted at the moment. Luke Shaw is finally living up to the potential he had shown early in his career, while academy graduate Brandon Williams has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign. Moreover, Diogo Dalot can also fill in on the left-side if need be.
So, it does beg the question as to why the Red Devils would be looking at another left-back ahead of the summer transfer window.
Manchester City have Benjamin Mendy as the first-choice at left-back. The Frenchman has shown what a valuable player he can be for Pep Guardiola’s side, but has had his fair share of injury issues during his time at the Etihad.
In Oleksandr Zinchenko, they have an able backup, who has done very well in the left-back slot. But that is not the Ukrainian’s natural position and with Angelino likely to be on the move in the summer, the Cityzens might be intent on investing in another left-back, which could explain their interest in Hernandez.
The 22-year-old Frenchman has bags of potential and during his time at AC Milan, has shown that he can be an asset. But it remains to be seen if either of Manchester United or Manchester City take the plunge on the former Real Madrid starlet come summer.
