Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri claims the club are in negotiations with Eden Hazard about a new contract every week.
The Blues have already secured the long-term futures of six first-team players in 2018, but the future of their most outstanding talent remains uncertain.
Hazard has just 18 months left on his current deal and admitted in October that he is still dreaming of a move to Real Madrid.
Standard Sport reported in August that the Belgium international is in no rush to commit and that remains the case.
But Sarri remains optimistic and said: "I know very well that there are discussions between the club and the manager of Eden every week I think, so if there is something new, the club will call me immediately.
"Eden is very important for us, like every special player. He's important for his club. I think the club is available to sign a new contract immediately, but it's up to him if he wants to renew or not. I want Eden here, of course, but I want him here if he wants to stay here.”
Hazard is currently on £200,000-a-week and has been replaced as the club's highest paid player by N'Golo Kante, who has recently agreed a pay-rise up to £290,000-a-week.
It is understood that preliminary talks have taken place and Chelsea remain optimistic he will stay in west London.
They are prepared to give Hazard a five-year deal, with a salary in excess of £300,000-a-week to convince him.
Meanwhile, Sarri claims he is looking forward to the busy Christmas schedule despite facing 10 games in the next 32 days, starting at Wolves tonight.
He added: “The period is very difficult. We have seven Premier League matches in December, so the period is very difficult. But we can see this period like an opportunity, and not like a problem, to gain points.
“When I was in Serie B in Italy, we played three matches – 22, 27, 31 December, I think – and it was fantastic. The atmosphere in the stadiums was, I remember, really good.
"I like very much to play in that period. Of course, here it's very difficult because we have to play 22, 26, 30, 2 January and 5 January, so not easy. But I'm looking forward to it.”
