Theo Hernandez shocked everyone when he said no to Al-Hilal. The French defender turned down 18 million euros each year from the Saudi team. That money would have been four times what AC Milan pays him right now. His current club had already agreed to sell him for 30 million euros. The player spent a long night thinking about his future before making his choice.
Money did not drive his final decision according to Italian newspaper reports. Hernandez became a father for the second time recently and wants to stay close to family. The timing made everything more difficult because FIFA registration deadlines were approaching fast. Only a few days remained for clubs in the Club World Cup to sign new players. Personal reasons mattered more than the huge salary increase he could have received.
AC Milan faces a tough situation with their star player. Hernandez has a contract until June 2026 but talks about extending it have stopped. The club might need to sell him this summer or risk losing him for free later. Atletico Madrid could bring him back to Spain where he started his professional career. European teams have better chances than Saudi clubs if he decides to leave Milan.
Money did not drive his final decision according to Italian newspaper reports. Hernandez became a father for the second time recently and wants to stay close to family. The timing made everything more difficult because FIFA registration deadlines were approaching fast. Only a few days remained for clubs in the Club World Cup to sign new players. Personal reasons mattered more than the huge salary increase he could have received.
AC Milan faces a tough situation with their star player. Hernandez has a contract until June 2026 but talks about extending it have stopped. The club might need to sell him this summer or risk losing him for free later. Atletico Madrid could bring him back to Spain where he started his professional career. European teams have better chances than Saudi clubs if he decides to leave Milan.
