What’s the story?
Real Madrid are front runners for the signature of Atletico Madrid starlet Theo Hernandez who’s on loan to Alaves. The left-back has also attracted attention from the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and English giants Liverpool.
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According to a report in the Independent, Real Madrid have scouted the youngster on many occasions this season during his loan spell with Alaves. Considered one of the best in Europe within his age group, his transfer would certainly mean that the Madrid giants forgo the non-aggression pact between the two teams.
The context
Theo Hernandez has been one of the most sought after youngsters in Spain for a while, Atletico would have breathed a sigh of relief when he eventually signed a new contract till the year 2021. However, the contract also has a very obtainable buyout clause of €24m (£20.5m), which has interested the Los Blancos.
The player is rumoured to be interested in the move, and Zinedine Zidane is also a big fan of the left-back.
The heart of the matter
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have a non-aggression pact between them which prevents them from buying players from each other. However, in the past, Atletico have sold expendable players to Real’s Castilla (Jorge Pulido and Leandro Cabrera), and the pact seems to be in place so that Atletico can prevent their players from being poached by the financially superior Real Madrid.
However, it looks like Florentino Pérez has decided to throw the contact out of the window and meet Hernandez’s buyout clause.
What’s Next?
The move is inevitably going to cause a lot of controversy around the Madrid clubs, soiling their relationships. But, given Marcelo is getting on, and Felipe Luis too, Real Madrid might be killing two birds with one stone.
Besides that, with his performances for Alaves, Hernandez has proved his acumen as a player. He is good defensively, a good crosser of the ball and fast, everything you would want from a left back.
Author’s Take
The gentleman’s agreement which prevents the Madrid clubs poaching from each other is sort of a farce from the beginning, given the fact that when push comes to shove, they are likely to forgo the good-natured behavior.
That is exactly what is happening at the moment with the pursuit of Hernandez. Given his ability and promise, Real will undoubtedly flex those financial muscles and gracefully pay his buyout clause.
