Real Madrid to take a close look at Atleti's Theo on Sunday
The France under-20 international has been a stand-out performer for Alavés this season and Real are considering a bid as back-up for Marcelo.
Theo Hernández was a thorn in Real Madrid's side during the game between the teams at Mendizorrotza earlier in the season and on Sunday he will have the opportunity to showcase his skills on the stage of the Bernabéu for the first time.
Madrid monitoring Theo with Coentrão set to leave
That will afford Madrid the chance to run the rule over a player who is under consideration to reinforce the left back position this summer - with Fabio Coentrão almost certain to leave – as reported on Spanish radio show El Larguero in March.
Theo’s immediate future will be to provide competition for Filipe Luis at the Calderón, where he is set to return in June after a season-long loan at Alavés. Theo signed a new contract with Atlético last summer with an offer from Manchester City coming in for the 19-year-old. At that stage, Theo’s release clause stood at just six million euros, which was what tempted City to lure the promising youngster to the Premier League. Now, with a new contract until 2021, that clause has been hiked to 24 million.
Barcelona, Liverpool, Marseille also interested
Madrid are monitoring Theo’s progress but they are far from the only team doing so. Barcelona were waiting in the wings last summer and Liverpool and Olympique Marseille, the birthplace of Theo and his brother Lucas Hernández, who is also on Atlético’s books. L’Equipe reported that Marseille sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta is willing to meet Theo’s clause to take the player to the Costa Azul.
Follow the coverage match of the week 29 of the Liga Santander between: Real Madrid-Alavés
