Fulham have registered their interest in taking Theo Hernandez on loan from Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain today.
The left back looks certain to leave the Bernabeu this summer and, although Real Sociedad has long looked like his mostly likely destination, the Premier League new boys have now offered Hernandez a route to England. Hernandez remains keen on a switch to Sociedad, but the Spanish club appear unable to match Real Madrid’s demands and a deal is far from secure. Madrid are unlikely to sanction the Sociedad move at present, with Hernandez’s suitors unwilling to pay more than a fraction of his current wages.
The Spanish press suggest that Fulham have already volunteered to pay a €2m loan fee to secure his services and are willing to pay Hernandez’s wages in full. The Whites, who are desperate to recruit a first-choice left back after failing to secure a deal to bring Matt Targett back to Craven Cottage on a permanent basis, would face competition from a number of European sides, with Marca suggesting that at least seven clubs have been in contact with Real Madrid over Hernandez’s availability.
The Marseille-born left back, who has spent his career in Spain since joining Atletico Madrid’s academy at the age of nine, made 23 appearances for Real last season but is keen to establish himself as a first-team regular elsewhere now at the age of 20 as he fears his career could stagnate as a bit-part player at the Bernabeu. He made three Champions’ League appearances as Real retained their crown by beating Liverpool in May’s final.
