Eden Hazard is reportedly ready to reject a bumper new contract at Chelsea, worth £340,000-a-week to join Real Madrid this summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication MARCA, Eden Hazard has made his mind up about joining Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. The Belgian international is prepared to snub a new £340,000-a-week deal from Chelsea to join Los Blancos, who believe they can snap him up for £105.5 million.
Hazard has been a pivotal player for Chelsea since moving from Lille in the summer of 2012. The player has particularly been impressive over the last two seasons, wherein he has showcased the kind of consistency that is associated with the best players in the world.
Unsurprisingly, the two campaigns have been his most productive to date as well, with a return of 34 goals and 20 assists in 95 appearances to show for his efforts. But, with Chelsea failing to qualify for the Champions League for the upcoming season, Hazard’s future has come under a cloud, with Real Madrid rumoured to be a possible destination.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have been trying to tie Hazard down to a new deal, with the Belgian one of their most important players. As the report suggests, the Blues are willing to offer £340,000 per week to tempt him to remain at Stamford Bridge for the foreseeable future. But, the 27-year-old has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid are in the market this summer for at least one attacking reinforcement, with Neymar believed to be their priority target. Meanwhile, they are also under the cosh with the futures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale uncertain, meaning they could be forced into the market for more than one forward.
Hazard would be a viable target for the European champions in the sense that he would add some much needed goals from midfield that they craved this past season. The Belgian would also prefer a pro-attack approach at Real Madrid after being left frustrated by the pragmatic approach adopted by Chelsea’s last two managers, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho.
While the reportedly incoming Maurizio Sarri would provide a refreshing change in that regard, Hazard is also keen on playing in the Champions League, after Chelsea finished 5th in the Premier League last season. A move to Real Madrid, thus, appeals to the 27-year-old, who is set to snub the Blues’ £340,000-a-week offer to move to the Bernabeu.
However, any move to Real Madrid will only depend on their ability to sign Neymar, in addition to departures of Ronaldo and Bale. If the two superstars don’t leave the club, then Hazard will have to set his sights elsewhere, should he indeed leave Chelsea. Otherwise, the Blues could also be in good stead as far as a renewal is concerned.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid believe that a £105.5 million offer would be good enough to persuade Chelsea to sell Hazard. With two years left on his current deal, the aforementioned figure could be highly attractive to the Blues, although they would ideally look to retain him as the Maurizio Sarri era beckons.
