AC Milan now believe the sale of Theo Hernandez will go through and the replacement is already lined up: Oleksandr Zinchenko from Arsenal.
Corriere dello Sport report this morning how everything revolves around the sale of Theo, but Milan are already working behind the scenes to find a replacement for the left-back. While the Frenchman is on holiday in Sardinia with his family, the Rossoneri hope to soon unblock his sale to Al-Hilal.
There are two immediate solutions on the table to replace him. Sporting director Igli Tare recently had contact with intermediaries who are managing the exit of Zinchenko from Arsenal, an experienced player who could take up Hernandez’s legacy if he finds a place over the summer.
The Ukrainian is appreciated by the directors and could arrive for a figure under €20m, considering the season he hasn’t exactly been a protagonist with the Gunners and the contract expiring in exactly one year. Zinchenko is open to the Rossoneri, the only obstacle would be the high salary.
This is being discussed with his agents, but to relaunch himself, the former Manchester City player could choose Italy and spread his current salary over several years. Before closing any deal in the left-back department, Theo would need to leave.
The alternative
Tare and Geoffrey Moncada’s list isn’t just one name long though, because the club have been following Belgian Maxim De Cuyper of Club Brugge for some time. He is a very interesting player, who has improved a lot in the attacking phase, and in fact Roma have also made a move.
In the next few days an auction could break out between Tare and the former Milan sporting director Frederic Massara , who recently returned to the Giallorossi. De Cuyper is ready for the big leap and is pushing to reach Serie A.
Three years ago, Milan signed Charles De Ketelaere from Club Bruges for around €35m including bonuses, while recently they made an enquiry for Swiss midfielder Ardon Jashari but the price is really high, over €40m.
The certainty is that the management has shown Theo the door and want to sell him. On the table are €30m plus various bonuses from Milan, while the player will receive over €15m in net salary per year. Simone Inzaghi has asked for a full-back and knows that Al-Hilal are working hard.
