Lucas Hernandez and Bayern Munich deny transfer is agreed in bizarre statement released by Atletico Madrid

The Frenchman has a release clause of €80m in the contract signed last summer

Lucas Hernandez is considered one of Europe's best young defenders (Getty)

Atletico Madrid have taken the rare step of publishing a denial that Lucas Hernandez will leave the club in January.

Marca reported on Wednesday that Bayern Munich were ready to pay €80m (£72m) the French international defender, triggering his release clause and securing the first piece of a much-needed rebuild in Bavaria.

But Atletico published a denial both from the player himself and Bayern that there was any such plan.

"Following the story published by the Marca newspaper on an alleged deal between Bayern Munich and our player Lucas Hernandez, according to which the German club is to trigger the Frenchman's buyout clause in the January window, Atlético de Madrid wishes to state that, in conversation with our club, Lucas Hernandez has denied any deal with Bayern Munich and also any intention to exit our club," the statement read.

"Additionally, the excellent relationship between Atlético de Madrid and the German club has led Bayern Munich to deny said operation during a conversation between officials of both clubs."

Lucas Hernandez turned down Man United in the summer (Getty)

The 22-year-old centre-back is vastly experienced for his age and would represent a smart acquisition for any club but Atleti have been as successful as anyone in convincing their key players to stay put in recent seasons, with Antoine Griezmann last year persuaded to snub a move to FC Barcelona in order to keep Diego Simeone's side on track for another tilt at silverware.

Barca are currently three points ahead of them atop La Liga but in an unusually tight race for the title in Spain, Madrid's second club are well-positioned to improve on last season's second place and win a first title for five years.

Their efforts would undoubtedly be damaged by the departure of Lucas, and while they are powerless to stop a club triggering the release clause in his contract signed just last summer, Simeone's powers of persuasion may be about to get another test.