Theo Hernandez had set his sights on a return to Atletico Madrid, but his proposed transfer from AC Milan has fallen through — and not solely due to the financial demands.

The French left-back, whose current deal at San Siro runs until June 2026, has been informed by Milan that he should seek a move this summer after talks over a contract extension broke down, largely due to the player’s high wage demands.

Milan’s Price Tag Proves a Stumbling Block
While Hernandez rejected a big-money offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, his preferred destination remained Atletico Madrid. However, Milan dismissed the Spanish club’s offer of €18 million plus €2–3 million in add-ons, deeming it insufficient. The Rossoneri are reportedly holding out for over €20 million, despite the player edging closer to the final year of his contract.

This valuation has stalled negotiations, with Atletico unwilling to increase their bid for a player who could soon walk away for free.

Fan Backlash at Atletico
In addition to the financial disagreement, a second issue has emerged — fan opposition. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, sections of the Atletico Madrid support are strongly against the idea of Hernandez returning to the club.

Although he came through the ranks at Atleti, Hernandez left the club in 2017 to join bitter rivals Real Madrid for €24 million. That move has not been forgotten, and some fans still consider him a traitor, making a reunion at the Metropolitano highly controversial.

With interest from other European clubs and the Middle East still on the table, Hernandez’s future remains uncertain — but a return to Atletico Madrid now looks highly unlikely.