Yes. Of course, the transfer and loan etc is just a front for the 'cleansing' of dirty money.
Since Red John won't explain, here's how it works. Are you sittin comfortably?
It all begins with Atlanta folks having a ****load of dirty cash. It's too risky to move large chunks of it too quickly, and some parts of their operations are running low on available funds.
So they 'sell' Hernandez ... for 800k ... and as it is very public, it all seems above board. AFC 'advance' the 800k by bank transfer, allowing Atlanta's operations to continue as normal while they 'sit on' the dirty cash stash a bit longer ... letting it cool.
With 800k less in the coffers, AFC benefit by paying less tax (on interest the 800k would have brought in).
After a bit of cooling, Atlanta start paying back the 'transfer fee' in the form of (dirty) cash by installment. Small amounts to be laundered here.
However, there is a problem!
The dirty cash would have easily been 'diluted' among cash coming in at the turnstiles, and cash received and change given at the club shop, cash exchanged at the matchday catering counters, programme sales etc .... but along came Covid 19 - stopping all of these transactions.... and so, the turnaround of the dirty to clean money has slowed immensely.
It was always the plan for the dirty money to have been cleaned by now, and Hernandez to return to Atlanta - citing homesickness or something.... whereupon, AFC having 'cleaned' and return 800k 'under the counter', Atlanta would 'buy' back Hernandez for that same amount (plus a wee bit extra for providing 'coaching/training' ).
However, with a backlog of dirty cash awaiting a good 'rinse', Atlanta are not in a position to 'buy' back their player ... and so, rather than have him gather splinters for another year, they have taken him on loan.
Eventually, when the crowds come back and folks are no longer fearful of using hard cash, things will pick up, the 800k will be well rinsed and returned to Atlanta, who will then complete the 'transfer' of Hernandez.
Maybe then, with all square and everybody happy, we might buy him properly for about £50k .... roughly equal to our share of the scam ... and coincidentally, roughly the player's real value ... everyone's a winner