Real Madrid look to have made their first signing since their FIFA transfer ban was lifted a couple months ago. Reports have indicated that Real have agreed to verbal terms with Atlético Madrid left back, Theo Hernandez. Ben Sundock has more.
It’s always a nice feeling to report on a possible player transfer, and then see the deal actually go through. And for me here at the Real Champs, this will be the first time I have had such feeling.
Although yet to be confirmed by the club, several media outlets and people around Real Madrid are indicating that Theo Hernandez signing for Los Blancos is all but a done deal at this point. The 19 year-old left back has been on loan this season from Atlético Madrid at Deportivo Alavés, and has impressed with his impressive two-way play and quickness on defense.
Marca are saying that Theo completed his medical at Real Madrid training facility, and will sign for the team in the coming month. As to when he will sign, is still unclear, with reports saying that the announcement of the signing could come as early as Thursday, but will likely take place after May 27th’s Copa Del Rey final in which Theo’s Deportivo side will face FC Barcelona.
Hernandez currently has a €24 million buyout clause in place in his contract with Atleti, and Real have said that they are willing to pay the fee to acquire Theo, but there might be a slight up charge due to the circumstance of the deal.
This signing is a direction violation of the no transfer pact that Real and Atleti have followed for many years now. And because of the breaking of this pact by Los Blancos, Atletico Madrid general manager, Gil Marin, will make Real pay €30 million.
The news of Theo completing his medical could not have come at a worse time, as Real Madrid prepare to face off against Atletico in the Champions League semifinal second leg Wednesday.
Previous claims had said that Barcelona had submitted a transfer proposal to Atletico at about the same time Real Madrid did in an attempt to sign the talented young player, but those reports have been dismissed now.
Next: Three Key Questions ahead of the UCL Madrid Derby Second Leg
It will be interesting to see when exactly this deal is finalized, but at the moment, it appears that Zinedine Zidane and Florentino Perez are sticking true to their previous commitment to bring in more young players, with Theo being the third under 20 year-old player to be rumored to be on his way to the Santiago Bernabéu.