Milan have rejected Paris Saint-Germain’s opening €40m bid for defender Theo Hernandez, but the Ligue 1 giants may return with another offer as they aim to bolster their left-back options.

PSG have already gone on a shopping spree in Milan this summer, splashing €70m on Inter wing-back Achraf Hakimi. But they are now ready to address the other side of their defence with a second Milan-based defender, this time from the red and black side of San Siro.

According to Tuttosport, the French giants have already tested the water in Milan with a €40m bid for Hernandez, but they have seen their offer knocked back by the stubborn Rossoneri.

The Italian giants are desperate to hold onto their key players, having finally confirmed their return to Champions League football for the 2021/22 campaign. Coach Stefano Pioli does not want to lose Hernandez, given his importance to the team at both ends of the pitch.

The 23-year-old is an all-action left-back, having scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists since completing his move from Real Madrid back in 2019. Milan ended up securing a bargain in that transfer window, signing the defender for €20m, and he has gone on to become one of the most exciting and impressive players in Serie A.

PSG are keen to snap up Hernandez in this transfer window, but Milan feel the player’s value is far greater than the €40m offered – even if it is double the fee they paid two years ago. And I Rossoneri are hopeful that their swift rebuttal will dissuade the French club from making any future bids.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have spent big this summer in both transfer fees and player wages, having signed Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and the soon-to-be announced Gianluigi Donnarumma on free transfers, as well as the €70m addition of Hakimi from Inter.

This influx could limit any further major signings this summer, meaning their pursuit of Hernandez may be put on hold until next season.