Reports in the Daily Star have suggested that Chelsea will not budge from their £100m valuation of Eden Hazard, who is top of Real Madrid’s wish list this summer.
Meaningful talks between Sarri’s Chelsea and Real Madrid’s Zidane will not take place until the Blues learn the outcome of their fight to overturn their transfer ban given to them for breaking the rules over young players. FIFA are tomorrow hearing the club’s appeal against the two-window sanction yet it is understood if it goes against them, the South-West London side will take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, which could freeze the ban until it reaches a verdict. This would allow Sarri to reinvest anything they receive for Hazard this summer.
The Belgian was once more influential in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory vs West Ham United on Monday night and his two goals earned him the MOTM award. Since the 2010/11 season, Hazard has picked up 93 Man of the Match awards with only Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (255) and Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo (125) ahead of him in Europe’s top leagues. His two goal involvements at Stamford Bridge on Monday means he has now been directly responsible for 28 Premier League goals this campaign – more than any other player.
It seems almost the inevitable that Hazard will be off to Madrid this summer yet Chelsea are set to hold out for at least £100m for their man despite Real viewing this as unrealistic for a player entering the final year of his contract.
Sarri has recently admitted that Hazard leaving the club would be a ‘disaster’ yet he suggested the club may have to respect his wishes. Gonzalo Higuain, a former Galacticos player also said this week ‘when a player has a desire, it is difficult to change his mind’ highlighting that Hazard is set for a move come summer at whatever cost.
