UEFA Champions League
Atlético de Madrid has rejected the offer from intermediaries to sign Theo Hernández, the 28-year-old left-back from Al Hilal, in this summer transfer market. The French player has also offered himself to other clubs, considering a return to Europe after his experience in the Saudi Pro League.
The Atlético de Madrid board dismissed the operation after previously closing the signing of Alejandro Grimaldo for €22 million from Bayer Leverkusen, choosing not to take on a salary that amounts to €20 million annually in Saudi Arabia.

The reasons for Atlético de Madrid's rejection and the signing of Grimaldo
The refusal by Atlético de Madrid is due to the left-back position being covered with the arrival of Alejandro Grimaldo for €22 million. The Atlético board is focusing its financial resources on signing a center-back— with Cristian Romero being one of the top options— and a center forward to replace the potential departure of Julián Álvarez.
Meanwhile, Hernández is looking to leave Al Hilal a year after being transferred from AC Milan for €25 million. The French international, with 49 caps and 2 goals for his national team, has a contract with the Saudi club until June 2028 and a market value set at €20 million by Transfermarkt.
Theo Hernandez's alternatives in Serie A after leaving Al Hilal
Following the rejection at the Metropolitano, the player's agents have presented his name to Juventus and Napoli. Any agreement with European clubs requires the player to accept a substantial reduction in his €20 million net annual salary to fit into their wage budgets.
The departure from Al Hilal depends on successful negotiations in Italy before the second week of August 2026. Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid's sports management will focus solely on finalizing the transfer of a central defender and a striker before the start of LaLiga.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Theo Hernández ofrecido al Atlético de Madrid
