Reports: Barcelona equal Real Madrid's offer for French sensation

What’s the Story?

As reports in Spain have suggested, Atletico Madrid youngster (now on loan at Alaves), Theo Hernandez had a verbal agreement with Real Madrid, who are set to pay his $25 million release clause. But more reports have emerged now that indicate the deal is far from done. As per Marca, the Atletico youngster has received an offer from Barcelona with the Catalans too willing to meet the release clause.

In case you didn’t know

Diego Simeone still remains hopeful, though, that young Theo (a rampaging left back) will remain at Atleti, saying earlier this year that “I spoke with Theo a month ago and he knows what I said to him” – not very conclusive that. Hernandez has also courted interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool, but he’d stated earlier that he’d prefer to remain in La Liga.

The heart of the matter

Real Madrid’s offer is financially way more attractive – it involves aa five-year contract that would steadily increase in value with Hernandez set to earn €6 million in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons; €7 million in 2019-20; €8 million in 2020-21, and €9 million in 2021-22. While Barcelona, with their financial woes, will not be able to meet these numbers but Hernandez’s interest is nonetheless piqued.

Two other factors work in Barcelona’s favour – first, of course, being that Atleti would much rather do business with Barcelona than with Real Madrid. The other is that Hernandez’s agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon has a strained relationship with Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez due to the latter’s treatment of one of Quilon’s clients Rafael Benitez.

What Next?

While there will be bigger fish to fry for all three parties concerned, this signing could have an impact on the long-term futures. Theo Hernandez is all of 19 years old and has shown great promise on the left flank for humble Alaves – including against Barcelona and Real Madrid themselves!

Author’s Take

While Madrid’s interest is understandable – considering just how sorely they need an able deputy for Marcelo – Barcelona’s comes as a big surprise. Having underutilised Jordi Alba all season (he’s wasted in that 3-4-3 experimental set up of Enrique’s) and having forgotten about the existence of the excellent Lucas Digne, the Catalan’s interest in young Hernandez seems, at best, misplaced. They have far greater problems to solve and their negotiators and executives in charge of the transfer market dealings would be much better utilised on areas they desperately need strengthening in.