If you’re a centre-half who can call yourself both left-footed and tactically versatile, then you can expect to be in pretty high demand. That certainly looks like being the case for a £22 million defender who finds himself on the radar of Premier League trio Newcastle United, Aston Villa and West Ham ahead of the summer transfer window.
HITC reported on Tuesday that all three clubs have asked about Mario Hermoso’s situation, and have been made aware of the Spaniard’s demands.
The former Espanyol ace is currently under contract with Atletico Madrid, but not for much longer. Hermoso’s current deal expires at the end of the current campaign.
And the five-time Spain international appears to be no closer to reaching an extension, Hermoso’s agent providing a series quotes that will raise hopes at Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham that a bargain deal is there to be done after all.
Newcastle and Aston Villa target will be a free-agent
“He is a player who is doing very well and who has grown a lot in these five years in Madrid. Now he is finishing his contract with Atletico Madrid,” Inaki Espizua, the 28-year-old’s representative, tells CN24TV.
“It’s not a given that he will go and play elsewhere. But, when you sign a contract, there must be a common project. And, at the moment, we are far from a renewal with Atletico Madrid.
“Mario wants to play in a major league. He doesn’t want to discard any options He wants to play for important goals. We will evaluate any project that may come for the next few years, this is the player’s aspiration.”
Hermoso, a one-time Real Madrid youth teamer, has spent five years with Los Colchoneros. He was part of the Atletico side who claimed the La Liga title under Diego Simeone in 2021.
Defensive southpaws are all the rage these days too, with managers increasingly intent on playing out from the back. Hermoso is also adept as a centre-half and as a left-back, and can play in both a back four or a back three.
West Ham also in Mario Hermoso race
Newcastle’s interest comes at a time in which Sven Botman could miss the remainder of 2024 with an ACL injury. Aston Villa also lost Tyrone Mings for a number of months while, at West Ham, Nayef Aguerd has not developed as hoped.
HITC understands that Newcastle and Villa are keen on Wolves captain Max Kilman too.
Espizua had little to say about a potential Premier League switch for his client, however, instead discussing hte prospect of Hermoso swapping Atletico for Italy.
“Serie A can certainly be a possibility for Mario. Napoli are among the Serie A teams which offer an attractive scenario,” Espizua adds. “Napoli is a great club.
“Last year, they won the Scudetto and (they) have an important history. Out of respect for everyone, I don’t want to talk about individual clubs, but Serie A can certainly be a prestigious destination. Even Inter is a great club.”
Hermoso’s Atletico face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg on Wednesday.
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