A man in a suit in front of the Real Madrid and AC Milan logos in a stadium.
FIRST TEAM

Milan Puts a Striking Player Swap on the Table with Real Madrid

One of the players from the Italian squad is of great interest to Real Madrid's sports management.

The executives led by Florentino Pérez remain focused on making the generational change in Santiago Bernabéu locker room a reality. The process initiated in the summer of 2018 is getting closer to its true end, as transfer talks have now shifted to the white defense. Thus, all positions would need their corresponding reinforcement.

Even the left-back position, where the situation seems to be completely under control. The arrival of Fran García during the summer of 2023 has stabilized the turmoil in a position that caused many problems in the 22/23 season. Carlo Ancelotti had to rely on Eduardo Camavinga as a left-back due to the poor performance and constant injuries suffered by Ferland Mendy.

Football player in white Real Madrid uniform on the field.
Ferland Mendy during a Real Madrid match this season | RealMadridConfidencial

The competition with the '20' from Castilla-La Mancha seems to have spurred the best French defender in recent matches. The doubts that have surrounded him for much of the current campaign are far behind, but the merengue bosses would have already made a decision about his future. Ferland Mendy would leave Santiago Bernabéu locker room to make room for his direct replacement, a generational change that would be found in Italy.

According to information published in recent hours, Theo Hernández would be the most reliable target for the white team at left-back. While it is true that the option of Miguel Gutiérrez is still considered in the Valdebebas offices, the signing of the French left-back would be a priority for the white leadership. The former Real Madrid player, trained at La Fábrica, could return to Santiago Bernabéu locker room almost eight years later.

Plausible Option

Ferland Mendy's contract ends in the summer of 2027, which is why several elite European soccer teams are beginning to show interest in his current and future contract conditions. One of those teams, according to "El Gol Digital", is AC Milan, where Theo Hernández plays. The mentioned digital newspaper indicates that the rossoneri executives would be open to a player exchange.

The operation, moreover, would be solved "without money involved" considering the delicate competitive and reputational moment that Theo Hernández is currently experiencing in the northern Italian sports discipline. The French footballer has been seeking a way out of AC Milan for some time, but so far he hasn't been lucky: Real Madrid, through an exchange with Ferland Mendy, would be his escape route.

Soccer player in red and black uniform celebrating with open arms in a stadium.
Theo Hernández wearing the AC Milan jersey | Real Madrid Confidencial

In any case, it seems like a really complicated operation. While it is true that Theo Hernández has requested his departure on more than one occasion, Paolo Maldini's sports management knows the value of a consolidated left-back like him. That's why a simple exchange with Ferland Mendy wouldn't be enough for Real Madrid to secure the football services of their former player for the next season.

For now, Juni Calafat's scouts will continue to search for the ideal option to strengthen the first team's left-back position. Names like Theo Hernández or Miguel Gutiérrez will monopolize the debates until one of the clubs involved makes a move and acts next summer market.

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