Update — 3:30PM EST: Lucas considering PSG offer seriously
If you want another twist in this saga, Sport1’s Kerry Hau is reporting that Bayern Munich’s Lucas Hernandez is seriously considering the proposal of personal terms from PSG:
As reported: No final decision, there are two options (move to PSG or new Bayern contract) and it’s up to Lucas. Several sources close to him have reconfirmed today that he is attracted by the offer from PSG but that a contract extension is also possible. This is the situation.
Update — 12:55PM EST: Bayern shocked by PSG transfer reports for Hernandez
According to Tz reporters Philipp Kessler and Mano Bonke (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), Bayern Munich was stunned by reports that Lucas Hernandez had agreed to personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain:
Bayern are very surprised with reports coming from France that Lucas Hernández has reached an agreement with PSG. The club has no intention of letting Hernández go – Salihamidžić and Neppe are doing everything to extend the player’s contract.
Hernández is considered internally to be extremely loyal to the club, especially given his injury record. Salihamidžić, Neppe and Hernández met for dinner this week, potentially to wrap up a deal. Tuchel indicated that Lucas is to play a key role next season.
There are a few ways to to read all of these reports:
- PSG and Hernandez came together in recent days to hammer out an agreement on terms unbeknownst to Bayern Munich and now the Bavarians have to play a little hardball by pretending they won’t sell the defender.
- Everything is false and there is nothin to see here — Hernandez will ink his deal in the coming days or weeks.
- Bayern Munich was aware of talks between Hernandez’s representatives and PSG, but didn’t take them seriously and is now scrambling.
Given the slight variations in each report, it is difficult to know what the real truth is at this stage, so….stay tuned!
Update — 10:00AM EST: Bild says no agreement is in place between Hernandez and PSG
This story is taking some wild turns, eh? Despite multiple reports out of France — and confirmation from Sport1’s Kerry Hau — Bild is denying that there is anything in place between Lucas Hernandez and PSG:
Bild deny an agreement has been reached between Lucas Hernández and PSG. On the contrary, Bayern and the player still want to extend the contract and have been in good talks for weeks. From Hernández’s camp, there were no indications that a departure would be a topic. The announcement of the contract extension is actually only a matter of time. However, it was recently postponed – for reasons that are not yet known.
What’s true? What’s not? Who knows…
According to a report from L’Equipe journalist Loïc Tanzi (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), Bayern Munich star Lucas Hernandez has reached an agreement on personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain in what would a stunning turn of events that just sparked up in the news on Wednesday:
Lucas Hernández and PSG have reached an agreement in principle. Paris now have to convince Bayern, which will be a difficult task.
If — and depending on the accuracy of recent reports, this could be a big if — Hernandez has already made up his mind to leave Bavaria, it might actually not be such a “difficult task” to convince the Bavarians to pull the trigger on a sale.
Bayern Munich needs funds to generate revenue to bolster its squad and with Matthijs de Ligt, Dayot Upamecano, and Benjamin Pavard already on the depth chart at center-back, the Bavarians might be inclined to sell Hernandez, whose contract expires in July 2024.
For the Bavarians, it is a matter of selling Hernandez this summer or risk losing him for free in a year. Unfortunately for Bayern Munich, the same exact situation exists with Pavard, who could also push for a move away from the Rekordmeister this summer. Pavard has been linked to Inter Milan and FC Barcelona among other clubs.
Clearly, the Bavarians have some tough choices to make.
Further reporting from L’Equipe (as captured by @iMiaSanMia) revealed that Hernandez and PSG initiated talks “several weeks ago” and that Bayern Munich was aware negotiations were taking place:
Talks between Hernández’s camp and PSG’s Luis Campos started several weeks ago and have now led to an agreement in principle. Bayern are aware of the situation.
Whatever happens from here, Bayern Munich will surely take measured steps. The club cannot afford to let talents like Hernandez and Pavard leave for free. In terms of selling the defenders or extending their respective contracts, it really might be a case of now or never.