Theo Hernandez is seeking a return to Italy, less than a year after joining Al-Hilal, according to a report in Tuttosport. The left-back has reportedly offered his services to both Juventus and Napoli, despite his contract with the Saudi Arabian club running until 2028.
Hernandez left AC Milan for Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023, becoming one of a number of high-profile players to move to the Saudi Pro League. Prior to the 2022 World Cup, however, Hernandez indicated that his move to Saudi Arabia was not a permanent one, telling Marca that he hoped to play in Europe again in the future. He expressed satisfaction with his three-year contract but left the door open for a potential return.
The potential move to Juventus could be facilitated by the recent arrival of Frederic Massara, who previously worked with Hernandez at AC Milan. Massara’s familiarity with the player could prove beneficial in negotiations. Hernandez has been a regular for Al-Hilal since joining, contributing to their attack from left-back, but a return to a top European league could improve his chances of securing a place in the French national team ahead of the upcoming international tournaments.
Competition for the left-back spot in the France squad has been fierce, with Lucas Digne establishing himself as the first choice during the recent World Cup. Hernandez will be aware that consistent performances at a high level in Serie A could be crucial to challenging Digne for a starting role under new national team manager, Zinedine Zidane. Both Juventus and Napoli are likely to be in the market for a left-back this summer, with Juventus potentially seeking a replacement for Alex Sandro, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Napoli, meanwhile, may look to strengthen in that position to maintain their competitiveness in Serie A and the Champions League.
