AC Milan intend to offer Theo Hernandez a new contract to extend the defender’s stay at the San Siro, amid interest from Manchester City, according to Calciomercato.
Pep Guardiola is crazy about the Frenchman, and has followed his career closely for at least the last two years. The Citizens boss admires his technical ability and believes the 23-year-old still has exponential room for development across the board.
Hernandez is content at Milan and is not actively angling for a transfer away from the Serie A side yet. He has three-years remaining on his current €1.5m-a-year (£24.5k-a/w) terms, signed upon joining from Real Madrid for £18m in 2019.
AC Milan will only sell Hernandez amid interest from Manchester City for an impossible to reject offer, as well. The San Siro natives likely want at least €65m-70m (£55.5m-60m) for the defender, who made his France debut last week.
Didier Deschamps handed Hernandez his senior Les Bleus bow against Finland during their 2-0 World Cup qualifier win last Tuesday. The Marseille-born full-back had never previously featured in a senior squad, and last represented France at U20 level in 2016.
Milan are also pampering Hernandez in line with his rising status, and intend to offer him a new contract. Technical Director Paolo Maldini additionally plans on adjusting his protégé’s salary by tripling his current wage in any new terms.
Maldini is in constant communication with Hernandez and his agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, over his future with Milan. Potentially denying Manchester City the full-back Guardiola admires, and Calciomercato claim Paris Saint-Germain could also target, then.
Should Manchester City sign AC Milan full-back Hernandez?
Manchester City have shown in the past they are not afraid to spend large amounts on a full-back, and may have to again if Guardiola is to poach Hernandez from AC Milan. The Citizens spent £50m on Kyle Walker and £52m on Benjamin Mendy in the summer of 2017.
Hernandez signing a new contract with the Rossoneri would seriously hinder any attempt Guardiola makes for a deal. The 23-year-old also knows he is the established starter under Stefano Pioli. Making 65 starts over 66 potential Serie A games during the Italian’s tenure.
He would bring an attacking threat to the left-hand channel of the Etihad Stadium if signed, though. Deschamps praised Hernandez’s forward threat following his France debut, noting via Football-Italia:
“Theo has attacking abilities, despite the fact that Milan deploy him in the back-four. As always, I try to put my players in the best position and in that role, he can exploit these skills. He’s fresh and in his first game, he showed a lot of good things.”
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