Manchester City reportedly plan to rival Real Madrid for Theo Hernandez's signature if Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso proves unattainable this summer.
Last month, it was claimed that the Premier League champions were prepared to come forward with a £54.7m offer for Cambiaso, who is viewed by Pep Guardiola as a perfect Kyle Walker successor.
After a noticeable decline in performance during the first half of the 2024-25 season, Walker made the switch to AC Milan on loan in January, and the Rossoneri also have the option to make his stay permanent.
Since Walker's departure, Matheus Nunes has been filling in as a makeshift right-back, although Guardiola also has Rico Lewis at his disposal, while Josko Gvardiol has been holding the fort at left-back.
Cambiaso - who is comfortable on the left or right-hand side - is still said to be Man City's number one full-back target, but Juventus are said to be after a mammoth £66.7m to let the Italian depart at the end of the season.
Man City 'keeping close tabs' on Hernandez displays
© Imago
Should Juve's demands prove too excessive for Man City, the reigning Premier League champions are apparently set to prioritise the signing of a new left-back as opposed to a direct successor to Walker.
According to TEAMtalk, AC Milan's Hernandez is now on the Sky Blues' shortlist for the summer window, as the 27-year-old's contract talks with the Rossoneri have apparently hit a standstill.
Hernandez's current terms only run until the summer of 2026, potentially leaving Milan in a tricky situation this summer if he chooses not to renew, but he has remained a vital player this season with four goals and five assists from 30 appearances.
The Frenchman's camp are still said to be in dialogue with Milan chiefs over a new deal, which would run for another two years, but it is 'increasingly likely' that the 27-year-old will not be penning fresh terms.
Hernandez is supposedly unhappy with the wage that has been offered to him - he is currently earning just over £80,000 a week according to Capology - while also being unsettled in Milan, who fired Paulo Fonseca in December and replaced him with former Porto boss Sergio Conceicao.
Who is leading the race for Hernandez?
© Imago
Man City are not believed to be at the head of the queue for Hernandez's signature, though, as the report adds that he is 'fascinated' by the idea of returning to old club Real Madrid this summer.
Hernandez represented Los Blancos for two years between 2017 and 2019, but he made just 23 appearances for the club before departing for Milan, as Ferland Mendy arrived to succeed Marcelo.
However, Carlo Ancelotti's side are now known to have earmarked the left-back solution as a key area for improvement this summer, and Real are therefore considered the most 'serious' interested party at present.
Hernandez has contributed 33 goals and 44 assists in 243 appearances during his time at AC Milan, establishing a reputation as one of the most fearsome attacking left-backs in Europe.
The France international has won one Serie A title and one Supercoppa Italiana during his time at San Siro, prior to which he was a member of Real Madrid's 2017-18 Champions League-winning team.
Ben Knapton
