Bayern are looking to rejuvenate their ageing squad
Lucas Hernández will join Bayern Munich in the summer, according to German sports newspaper Bild.
Our story today: Lucas Hernandez (23, Atlético Madrid) will join @FCBayern in summer @SPORTBILD
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) February 27, 2019
The Atlético Madrid defender has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga champions in the past, and the club are now willing to activate his release clause of €80m, if Atlético insist that they pay it.
With Jerome Boateng seemingly over the hill and Mats Hummels already 30, Bayern president Uli Hoeness has admitted that they need to inject some youth into their defence.
“We definitely have to do something at centre-back,” Hoeness said.
“I imagine if given the chance, we’d pay the release clause. We’ve saved up; we’re well prepared for the summer.
“Our sporting director has everything under control. He is, after all, a world champion.”
Hernandez was one of the stars of last summer’s World Cup, filling in for Benjamin Mendy at left-back for France, who went on to lift the trophy.
He is equally adept at playing in central defence and at left-back, making him a useful asset for any manager.
At Bayern, he would likely play most often alongside Mats Hummels or Niklas Sule as a centre-back, but his capabilities out wide could allow David Alaba to move into central midfield at times.
Bayern have been without a back-up left-back since Juan Bernat left in the summer to join Paris Saint-Germain. Hernandez’s arrival would help them kill two birds with one stone.