Geoffrey Moncada’s words about Theo Hernandez prior to the defeat against Atalanta have further fuelled the mystery surrounding his future.

As Calciomercato.com write, the 1-0 loss against Atalanta at San Siro on Sunday night effectively ends Milan’s hopes of getting a European spot in the league, meaning that winning the Coppa Italia is the only remaining path.

The objective is still achievable even if Inter, the opponent in the second leg of the semi-final scheduled for Wednesday 23 April, start as a clear favourite to advance to the next round. The players on the pitch did little to steal the limelight from Moncada, who spoke before the game.

“I really like Theo. I know he can play games like in Udine tonight too. We’re talking, we’re working. We’re not that far away. I hope this module will make him even stronger,” he said to DAZN. It seemed to be an opening regarding the potential of a stay for the Frenchman.

After months of many rumours about a farewell for Theo, one of Giorgio Furlani’s trusted men declared that things are far from decided. The signal that the Rossoneri sent is clear: renewing the left-back’s contract is a priority for the management. Or at least, it becomes so again.

Between the lines you can sense that something hasn’t gone right in this negotiation, one that has been dragging on for several months. In January, Milan had decided to stop the talks with agent Manuel Quilon when things were very close to a verbal agreement.