REAL Madrid is set to snatch highly-rated left-back Theo Hernandez from city rival Atletico Madrid by paying the buyout clause in his contract, Spanish sports daily Marca reported Tuesday.

    French youth international Hernandez, 19, has impressed during a loan spell with Alaves this season, including against Real in a 3-0 win for the European champion Sunday.

    “Real Madrid has reached an agreement with Theo Hernandez... to pay his 24 million euro (US$25.6 million) buyout clause and incorporate him from the summer for the next six seasons,” Marca said. The deal would break a gentleman’s agreement between the clubs not to sign players from their rivals since Real president Florentino Perez began the first of his two spells in charge in 2000. Former Argentina winger Santiago Solari was the last player to cross the Madrid divide when he joined Real 17 years ago. (SD-Agencies)