Atletico Madrid are reportedly set to rival Real Madrid in the race to sign former defender Lucas Hernandez from Bayern Munich this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet El Gol Digital, Atletico Madrid are determined to not let Real Madrid succeed in signing Lucas Hernandez in the summer transfer window. The Frenchman, who is valued by Bayern Munich at around €45 million, is now set to be subject to a Madrilean transfer battle.
Lucas Hernandez previously spent 12 years at Atletico Madrid, having progressed through the ranks within the youth setup before playing for the first-team for five years. In that half-a-decade, the French international was regularly in and out of the starting lineup, sharing game-time either at left-back or at the heart of the defence, before choosing to start a new adventure with Bayern Munich.
At the Allianz Arena, it has been more of the same for the 25-year-old, who has not been a regular fixture in defence yet. Till date, Hernandez has amassed 55 appearances for the current Bundesliga champions, who are now looking to cash in on him in the summer transfer window. This has alerted Real Madrid, but also Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid’s interest in Hernandez makes a great deal of sense, considering Marcelo is set to leave the club in the summer transfer window. The Brazilian’s departure would leave Zinedine Zidane with Ferland Mendy as the only natural left-back in his squad, thereby necessitating the need for another.
This has led to Real Madrid scouring the market, with another French international in Benjamin Mendy appearing on their radar. Meanwhile, apart from Lucas Hernandez, his brother Theo has also been linked with a possible return to Real Madrid, who are now facing competition from local rivals Atletico Madrid for his signature.
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The interest from Los Rojiblancos is not surprising considering Renan Lodi is the only out-and-out left-back in Diego Simeone’s squad. Therefore, the Atletico Madrid boss can surely find a usage for his former charge at the Wanda Metropolitano, who can also feature as a centre-back.
Priced at €45 million, Hernandez is not too expensive, despite the prevalent conditions in the transfer market. And, Atletico Madrid are hoping to raise the necessary funds to land him by cashing in on Saul Niguez, who faces an uncertain future at the club. As for Real Madrid, it looks like they could be open to shelling out such a sum as well.
Atletico Madrid, though, are intent on beating their bitter rivals to their former defender and it remains to be seen if a €45 million move can be completed ahead of Los Blancos come summer. For now, it looks like Lucas Hernandez could be on his way out of Bayern Munich after just two seasons at the Allianz Arena.
