Atletico Madrid agree to sell defender Lucas Hernández to Manchester City for €50m – City Watch
Atletico Madrid are ready to sell highly-rated defender Lucas Hernández to Manchester City in a €50 million (£43.7 million) deal, according to the reliable Cadena COPE.
NOTICIA @partidazocope: Acuerdo City – ATM por Lucas Hernández. Si el TAS les sanciona mañana, saldría al City la temporada 18/19 (50M €). pic.twitter.com/YQS2lDzRKK
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) May 31, 2017
The 21-year-old, born in France, has previously been linked with a move to City, and an offer was knocked back for both he and his younger brother Theo Hernández last summer. A new contract extension in May appeared to put the story to bed, but City have persisted with their interest.
COPE reports that the La Liga side will sell Hernández to Manchester City this summer if their transfer ban is lifted – with a decision on that expected later today. If the transfer ban remains in place, it is claimed that Hernández will join City for the 2018-19 season, implying that a deal is agreed in principle already.
Hernández rose to prominence in Diego Simeone’s side during the 2016-17 season, becoming a regular. His versatility means he is comfortable in two positions, having made 10 starts as a centre-back for Atleti and 5 starts as a left-back. He even made one appearance as a right-back during the season.
City are also being linked with a move for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk, with today’s edition of The Times claiming that a £50 million bid is imminent. This is turning into quite a dramatic summer and it’s only just getting started!
9:15am UPDATE: The TAS has announced that Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban this summer stands, so Hernández will join City in 2018-19 if this story has any substance.
