Lucas Hernandez set to depart Bayern Munich for Paris Saint-Germain - report

Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez has reportedly expressed his desire to leave the club and join Paris Saint-Germain, according to a report by Kicker journalist Franck Linkesch.

This news comes after fellow central defender Benjamin Pavard also announced his decision not to renew his contract, which concludes in 2024.

Both 27-year-old French players, who were part of the victorious 2018 World Cup squad, seem to be seeking fresh challenges. Hernandez, currently recuperating from a cruciate ligament tear sustained during the World Cup, was previously expected to extend his contract. However, recent developments indicate that PSG are now actively pursuing his signature.

During the celebrations following their German championship win, Hernandez informed his teammates of his agreement in principle with the Parisians and his desire for a move.

The fate of his departure, however, remains uncertain as Bayern have yet to decide whether they will grant his wish.

Should both Hernandez and Pavard leave Bavaria this summer, Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano are expected to take up the mantle of the starting centre-back positions. The club may also need to explore the transfer market to secure another high-calibre replacement.

Despite fans' hopes for youngster Tarek Buchmann, it appears that he will be assigned to the first-team training setup while continuing to feature for Bayern Munich II in matches.