Central defender Mario Hermoso admits he ‘does not know’ if Real Madrid want to sign him but he is ‘very happy’ at Espanyol.
The 23-year-old only joined the Catalan club last summer from Madrid in a €400k deal while he has a contract until 2020 with a €40m release clause in place.
However, the report clarifies several aspects that would mean the European champions could bring back the Spaniard for a fee as low as €7.5m.
“I do not know if there is interest from Real Madrid, I am very happy at Espanyol,” Hermoso, after making his debut for Spain on Sunday, told Cadena Ser, as cited by El Espanol.
Espanyol boss Rubi added, as cited by El Mundo Deportivo: “We do not contemplate Mario Hermoso leaving. If we receive an approach then we will analyse it.
“Mario is very comfortable where he is today. Our intuition is that Madrid is not going to press for him, but it is an intuition and what Madrid or the club decides will be what how it plays out.”
Madrid possess a €15m buyback clause while they also are said to still own 50% of his rights, meaning they can sign him for half that price.
Hermoso has become a regular for Espanyol and also possesses a goal threat – netting twice this season – while he previously starred for Madrid’s Castilla team.
