Theo Hernandez is off to Saudi Arabia! AC Milan full-back makes transfer U-turn to agree Saudi Arabia switch after improved offer and failing to seal Atletico Madrid return

According to a report by Calciomercato, the full-back agreed to the switch after Al-Hilal offered an improved salary of €20 million ($23m/£17m) per season compared to the initial offer of €18m ($20m/£15m). The parties are currently working on the documentation to finalise the deal in the upcoming hours.

The France international had initially preferred to stay in Europe, but with his Milan contract entering its final year, the club were eager to sell him this summer. After turning down Al-Hilal's advances, Atletico Madrid made an attempt to snap him up but failed to match the Serie A side's asking price despite convincing the player to join. After the Spanish side walked away from the deal, Al-Hilal returned.

Hernandez will leave Milan six years after joining from Real Madrid. The Italian giants recently appointed Massimiliano Allegri as their new manager and, per the report, the club told Hernandez that he is not considered to be a part of the 57-year-old’s project. Manuel Garcia Quilon, who represents the French left-back, was in constant contact with Federico Pastorello, an intermediary hired by Al-Hilal, and this helped in the path forward for the defender.

The 27-year-old will now head towards his first move outside Europe, when he represents Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League Elite.