“?Javier Hernandez is reportedly free to leave Bayer Leverkusen if the Bundesliga side receive a bid in excess of 25m euros (£21.3m), according to reports in Germany.
“?Sport Bild has claimed that the star, dubbed ‘Chicharito’, is no longer a popular member of Leverkusen’s first-team squad and, although he could be sold by the club in either January or the upcoming summer transfer window, no official offers have yet been made for his services.
Hernandez has struggled to replicate the form he showed during his first season with the German outfit, and has registered just seven goals in 23 appearances this term as Leverkusen find themselves languishing in ninth position in Germany’s top flight.
Chicharito’s displays for Roger Schmidt’s team is a far cry from the 26 goals he plundered in 43 games last term, with the 28-year-old not finding the back of the net since he bagged a goal in the 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund on October 1.
Many of Hernandez’s teammates have reportedly accused the striker of becoming a selfish individual on and off the pitch, and Sport Bild alleges that the Mexico international has not maintainied his friendships with his colleagues at the BayArena throughout 2016/17. He also apparently failed to attend to the club’s Christmas party last month.
However, other reports in recent days have alleged that Hernandez’s girlfriend has been ill for some time – a rumour that could lend weight to his drop in performance levels in recent months.
Javier Hernandez can leave Bayer Leverkusen if a club pays €25 million for him, says Sportbild’s @AxelHesse1. Chelsea interested.
Hernandez’s future at Leverkusen now appears to be bleak at best but, providing he can turn his form around and make amends with his fellow players, the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid forward could remain at the club long-term, or until his contract expires in June 2018.
Leverkusen’s sporting director, Rudi Voller, maintains hope that Chicharito will remain with his current employers, though he recently told “?Bild that the attacker needed to up his game if he was to remain in Schmidt’s starting lineup for the foreseeable future.
Voller said: “I can’t imagine it (Hernandez leaving). We need a good and functioning Chicharito. Chicharito now needs to show more. He knows best that he needs to step up his game.”?
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