According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Lucas Hernandez is keen on making the move to Paris Saint-Germain from Bayern Munich during this summer’s transfer window.
The France international joined the Bavarian giants from Atletico Madrid last summer for a club-record £72m fee, but he has since struggled to command a regular starting spot.
Hernandez started the season as a regular in the central defence or left-back position for Bayern, but he unfortunately picked up an ankle ligament injury in late October, which kept him out of action for three months.
Since his comeback in February, the 23-year-old has been selected in 16 games for Bayern across all competitions, but he has made the starting lineup on just four occasions.
Bayern boss Hansi Flick has stuck with Jerome Boateng and David Alaba as the regulars at the heart of the defence despite their respective contracts due to expire at the end of next season.
On the other hand, Alphonso Davies has proved indispensable from the starting XI for the left-back spot, having caught the eye with his sublime pace and dribbling on the attack while equally impressing with his tackling in a defensive point of view.
As a result, Hernandez does not have the assurance of regular playing time at the present point of his Bayern career and Foot Mercato claims that he could part ways with the German champions after the solitary campaign.
Les Parisiens are suggested as the player’s preferred club, but it is reported that the Ligue 1 holders won’t have an easy task of luring the World Cup winner from the Allianz Arena.
Bayern are open to the prospect of selling Hernandez during the summer, but they are expected to demand the entire £72m sum paid to Atletico last year, which remains a stumbling block towards the transfer.
Les Parisiens are expected to end their long-term association with veteran centre-back Thiago Silva when his contract expires at the end of their Champions League campaign and they may want a suitable replacement.
Thomas Tuchel’s side currently have Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Abdou Diallo, Thilo Kehrer and Tanguy Kouassi as the central defensive options other than Silva in the first-team squad.
Marquinhos has, however, played as more of a defensive midfielder over the past couple of years and that should open up a spot for another quality centre-back, particularly with academy graduate Kouassi set to leave on a free transfer.
Hernandez could potentially line up alongside compatriot Kimpembe at the heart of the backline and his versatility of playing on the left side of the defence obviously remains an added boost.
As things stand, Les Parisiens have not made any formal approach for the Frenchman, but it will be interesting to see whether they will initiate talks with Bayern for the player over the next few weeks.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
