Football
Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent 7y

Real Madrid, Barcelona make concrete offers for Theo Hernandez - agent

Theo Hernandez's agent has confirmed both Real Madrid and Barcelona want to sign the Atletico Madrid defender this summer.

Spanish daily Marca on Monday reported that Hernandez has passed a medical exam at Real Madrid and that the club are close to signing him.

But Manuel Garcia Quilon stressed that neither of the two La Liga giants have struck a deal with the highly-rated 19-year-old yet. He did, however, concede that both have made offers matching the €24 million release clause in Hernandez's contract.

"For now he's not close to either of the teams [Real or Barca]," Garcia Quilon told Footmercato.

"Both are really interested, but we've not closed anything with either of them. There are concrete offers -- both have made an offer to the level of his release clause -- but we haven't chosen.

"[Theo] will be the person who decides where he wants to go. They pay the clause and then it's up to the player to decide which team he wants to go to."

Garcia Quilon's comments suggest things have moved on from last week, when Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said that he was unaware of any clubs contacting the Rojiblanco with regards to making a bid for Theo.

However, he did concede: "We have no intention of selling any player, but if another club comes with an offer which could be interesting to a player, they should talk to us.

"I always say that players will play where they want to play. If a player is ready to be transferred, then they can look for whatever club they want. Theo is an Atletico Madrid player. If he is not tomorrow then we will find out why."

Speculation has been rife in the Spanish press over the last week over the future of Theo, who has enjoyed a fine season while on loan at La Liga side Alaves.

On Sunday he scored the winning goal in his side's 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao and Diario Sport have reported that the French youngster would prefer a move to Barca over Madrid.

The Catalan newspaper claim sporting director Robert Fernandez -- who courted the teenager last summer -- has convinced him he will play more regularly at Camp Nou due to his versatility across the defence.

That could be key to Theo's decision, with the left-back hopeful of being included in the France squad at next summer's World Cup in Russia.

Theo's brother Lucas, who also plays for Atletico, will not be on the move, though. He ended speculation over a possible summer transfer to Manchester City or Barca by extending his contract with Diego Simeone's side until 2022.

^ Back to Top ^