France international Theo Hernandez could be on course for a return to Serie A just one year after leaving AC Milan, with Como and Juventus reportedly among the clubs monitoring his situation ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The 28-year-old left back joined Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal after ending a successful spell with Milan, but reports in Italy suggest he is now evaluating a move back to European football following a campaign in which Al Hilal failed to secure the Saudi league title.
The Saudi championship was instead claimed by Al Nassr, led by former Juventus and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, further increasing speculation about possible changes within rival clubs during the summer transfer window.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Como has emerged as one of the strongest candidates to sign Hernandez should he decide to leave Saudi Arabia. The club reportedly explored a move for the French defender during the previous transfer cycle while he was still under contract with Milan.
At the time, negotiations between Como and Milan were reportedly discussed, but Hernandez ultimately rejected the opportunity and chose to continue his career with Al Hilal.
The situation has changed considerably since then. Under head coach Cesc Fabregas, Como has become one of the biggest success stories in Italian football, securing a surprise fourth-place finish in Serie A and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Champions League qualification has significantly strengthened Como’s position in the transfer market, with the club now looking to add proven international players capable of competing at the highest level of European football.
Hernandez is viewed as an attractive target because of his experience, attacking quality and familiarity with Serie A, where he established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic fullbacks during his time with Milan.
Juventus has also been linked with the defender as the Turin club continues to evaluate options on the left side of its defense.
The Bianconeri are reportedly searching for reinforcements in that position as part of Luciano Spalletti’s long-term squad planning. The situation has become more pressing amid growing uncertainty surrounding Andrea Cambiaso, who has attracted interest from Barcelona and Chelsea.
Should Cambiaso depart, Juventus could intensify efforts to bring in an experienced replacement capable of contributing immediately in both domestic and European competitions.
Hernandez’s attacking instincts are believed to fit well within Spalletti’s tactical approach. Throughout his career, the French international has been recognized for his ability to drive forward from deep positions, create chances in transition and contribute goals from the left flank.
His combination of pace, technical quality and attacking aggression has made him one of Europe’s most productive fullbacks over the past several seasons.
Despite the growing interest from Italian clubs, any potential deal could be complicated by financial considerations.
Italian media reports indicate Hernandez received a salary package worth approximately €20 million ($23 million) per season when he moved to Al Hilal, a figure that would be difficult for most Serie A clubs to match.
While Juventus remains one of Italy’s strongest financial powers, the club has increasingly focused on maintaining wage discipline in recent years.
The salary issue could present an even greater challenge for Como despite the club’s ambitious project and recent rise into the Champions League places.
For comparison, Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic was reportedly the club’s highest-paid player during the 2025-26 season, earning a gross salary of approximately €22 million per year.
As a result, any negotiations involving Hernandez would likely require either a significant reduction in salary expectations or a creative financial structure to make a transfer feasible.
For now, neither Juventus nor Como has publicly confirmed interest in the player. However, reports linking Hernandez with a return to Italy continue to gather momentum as clubs across Europe prepare for one of the most important transfer windows in recent years.
With Champions League football awaiting Como and Juventus looking to strengthen a squad expected to compete for major honors, Hernandez’s future is likely to remain one of the most closely watched stories of the Serie A summer market.
