CHELSEA have rejected an approach from Real Madrid for Eden Hazard, it has been claimed.
Hazard, 28, has long been linked with a switch to the Bernabeu.
With just over 15 months remaining on his current deal at Chelsea, the Belgian is likelier than ever to finally secure his dream move at the end of the season.
Real are in need of a marquee Galactico signing this summer after their three-year stranglehold on the Champions League came to an end this month.
However, according to journalist Duncan Castles, Los Blancos have already seen an offer for Hazard snubbed by the Blues.
It’s something we’ve been discussing as a possibility for a long time now, something that Chelsea have been aware of and worried about for a long time – and that is Real Madrid making an offer for Eden Hazard, their best player and has been their best player for some time,” he told The Transfer Window podcast.
“Hazard, as we know, has one year left on his contract this summer. He’s refused to sign a contract extension at Chelsea despite their best efforts. They’ve made him extremely good offers that would have made him the best-paid player in the club’s history.
“Hazard obviously last summer made no secret about the fact that if Madrid were to come in for him, he would be interested in moving there. That didn’t happen in the end.
“But I am told that Madrid have in the past weeks formally approached Chelsea to make an offer for Hazard.”
Castles’ huge transfer report came after:
Castles continued: “I believe that has been turned down by Chelsea, but I think they are well aware that the circumstances are such that they are presented essentially with the same choice that they had with Thibaut Courtois one year ago.
“They have one of their best players with a year to go on his contract. That player wants to move to Real Madrid, Real Madrid want that player.
“Their option will come down to: allow him to go this summer for a good fee, and I believe Chelsea feel they can still get as much as €100m for Hazard from Madrid, or say no, deal with the consequences of keeping the player against his will for an additional season and lose him for free in a year’s time.
“Interesting side element in this, Real Madrid’s priority for the summer, Florentino Perez’s priority for the summer, was Neymar. What would the implications be for Eden Hazard? Would that rule out the possibility of him moving there? We said it didn’t.”
Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness believes Hazard needs to leave Chelsea in order to win big trophies.
“If you are Hazard, you are one of the best players in the world, and you are thinking I’m now arguably at the peak of my career and I want to be winning the big trophies,” he said.
“Will that happen at Chelsea? I don’t think so.
“They look like they will struggle to get into the top four. Chelsea have a big decision to make, do they cash in or let him walk in 15 months?”
Soure: Daily Star
