Real Madrid: Theo in AC Milan meeting, Leverkusen agree fee
The cameras of El Chiringuito have captured Theo Hernández with Milan's Paolo Maldini, but Bayer Leverkusen now lead the race for the left-back.
AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini has been spotted in talks with Real Madrid left-back Theo Hernández as the Serie A club eye a summer Bernabéu raid.
However, AS understands that Milan now face a major fight to beat Bayer Leverkusen to his signature, with the Germans believed to be in advanced talks with the player's agent after agreeing a fee of around 20m euros plus add-ons with Madrid.
Ceballos, Mayoral and Odegaard also in Milan's sights
The cameras of Spanish TV show El Chiringuito captured Theo and Maldini together on Ibiza on Sunday, two days after the Italian flew to Madrid to inform Los Blancos of Milan's interest in several men currently on the LaLiga giants' books.
Dani Ceballos, Borja Mayoral and Martin Odegaard are also thought to be among the Real Madrid players on the Rossoneri's radar.
Theo, who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad, is not in Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane's plans for next term, with Marcelo and new signing Ferland Mendy expected to compete for the left-back berth at the 13-time European champions.
Theo also thought to be interesting Napoli and Juventus
The 21-year-old has been attracting interest from several Serie A clubs. As was previously revealed by AS, Napoli have enquired about the Frenchman, while Juventus have identified him as potential competition for present first choice Alex Sandro.
During his meeting with Theo, says El Chiringuito, Maldini laid out Milan's ambitious plans for the future, as the San Siro club - who last season failed to qualify for the Champions League after finishing fifth in Serie A - seek to re-establish themselves as a force both domestically and in Europe.
New Italian tax law may aid Madrid's summer fire sale
With Madrid out to offload several players this close season, Italy has become an attractive destination for them following the introduction of a tax law in the country that leaves Serie A clubs better-placed to meet their wage demands.