Real Madrid are set to make a fresh bid for Chelsea’s Belgian star Eden Hazard, according to reports in the Telegraph, with the Blues’ asking price of £130m likely to further complicate a transfer saga that is set to dominate the 2019 summer window.
It is expected that Hazard’s final appearance for the West London side will come in the Europa League final on Wednesday against Premier League rivals Arsenal in Baku, as the Belgian bids to end his seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge with yet another trophy.
Chelsea’s valuation of £130m has the potential to further complicate the transfer, coupled with their impending transfer ban from FIFA, but Zinedine Zidane’s return to the Spanish capital will have been based upon financial assurances in the window.
Add to this the expected departure of Gareth Bale, who Zidane recently slated in stating he would not have brought the Welshman on in his side’s 2-0 defeat to Real Betis if he had a fourth substitution, and the arrival of Hazard in Madrid is moving towards the realms of inevitability.
Madrid’s opening proposal of £88m was batted back by Chelsea’s hierarchy, with the La Liga side reluctant to increase their offer owing to the fact that Hazard has told Chelsea of his intentions to depart this summer and that he will refuse to sign a new contract regardless of the wages offered.
The Belgian’s fellow forwards at Chelsea, Willian and Pedro, have spoken out regarding the rumours that are presently engulfing the club’s star asset amidst a furore of drama including transfer bans, instability of ownership and injuries to key players including Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Pedro added: “I don’t know [about Hazard’s future]. The most important thing is to focus on the team, the result, and get the trophy.”
