Real Madrid step up Eden Hazard transfer chase as Chelsea face battle to keep star

Transfer ban: Real Madrid are currently prevented from using an offer of a player plus cash deal
AP
Simon Johnson8 April 2019

Real Madrid are so confident they will sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea the Spanish club have already held discussions over whose place he will take.

The Belgium international has just over one year left on his contract and has shown no indication he wants to discuss an extension.

Chelsea are not prepared to let him go on the cheap and are demanding in excess of £100million. Real Madrid are not willing to pay such a sum, but believe a compromise will be reached and have started planning for the 2019-20 campaign as if the 28-year-old is part of the starting XI.

The attacking midfielder’s arrival is part of a mass overhaul of the Real Madrid squad and will mean someone is going to have to make way.

Despite claims to the contrary from his agent Jonathan Barnett, the future of Gareth Bale remains uncertain.

Coach Zinedine Zidane did not offer much assurance over whether Bale will still be at the club next season when asked at the weekend. He said: “We will see. Gareth is a Real Madrid player with two years left on his contract.”

The players Real Madrid hope Zidane can lure to the Bernabeu

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Isco is another who faces an uncertain future under Zidane, while Marcelo could also leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

Real Madrid have held talks with Chelsea over acquiring Hazard and are keen to agree a deal as soon as possible. But negotiations have been made more complicated by Chelsea being banned from signing players by Fifa for two windows for breaching rules over the recruitment of foreign minors.

The west London club are appealing against the decision and their hearing will take place on Thursday. Should they fail to get it overturned or delayed, it is likely the case will be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Chelsea can still sell members of the squad regardless, but Real Madrid are currently prevented from using an offer of a player plus cash deal to lower Hazard’s cost.

Five players who Chelsea could replace Eden Hazard with this summer

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Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has confirmed he wants to buy Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic , who joined on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, on a permanent basis. The Spanish club value him at around £50m and that would basically halve Hazard’s price.

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