Eden Hazard talking with Real Madrid players about transfer from Chelsea

On the move? | Eden Hazard is expected to join Real Madrid this summer despite Chelsea's transfer ban
Reuters/Eddie Keogh
Simon Johnson13 May 2019

Eden Hazard has already begun talking to Real Madrid players about the prospect of playing for the La Liga club next season.

The Belgium international decided to break his silence over his future following Chelsea’s final Premier League game of the campaign at Leicester on Sunday.

Hazard revealed that he met with the club recently to tell them his final decision and it is thought the 28-year-old confirmed a desire to join Real Madrid.

However, Standard Sport understands that Hazard told the club after starring in a 2-0 win over West Ham last month he would definitely not sign a contract extension.

The attacking midfielder has just over a year left on his current deal left to run but has set his sights on a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.

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It is believed he has been in contact with members of the Real Madrid squad and discussed what life is like in Spain. Some of the individuals in question include Belgium team-mate Thibaut Courtois, who left Stamford Bridge for Zinedine Zidane’s side last summer, plus Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane.

Hazard has already looked into the possibility of where he’d like to live in the Spanish capital as well as venues for his children to go to school.

Speaking after the draw over Leicester, Hazard said: “Yes I have made my decision but it is not just about me.

“Would I have liked it to be cleared up earlier in the season? Yes, I wanted that but that’s not happened. I’m still waiting like you are waiting and the fans are waiting.”

Pressed on whether he had told the club what he was thinking and when such a meeting took place, he replied: “Yes. A couple of weeks ago.”

Chelsea finished as top London club in the Premier League and will be in the Champions League next term after securing third spot. They also have a Europa League Final against Arsenal on May 29 to look forward to.

When asked if Chelsea getting in the Champions League has made him change his mind at all, he significantly said: “No. I don’t think so. I have made my decision, that’s it. I’m still waiting.”

As this paper revealed last week, Real Madrid are getting frustrated over Chelsea’s refusal to lower their asking price, which is in excess of £100m. They have made two bids so far and they have fallen significantly lower than that.

Hazard is still hoping a compromise will occur and wants to part on good terms. The attacking midfielder has won five major trophies since joining from Lille for £32m in 2012 and has loved his time in the capital.

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But he is hoping Chelsea will agree to the move to Real Madrid as soon as possible, certainly before reporting for Belgium duty in June. They have two Euro 2020 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Scotland on June 8 and June 11 respectively.

Hazard was with the Chelsea senior squad that flew to Boston this morning and will participate in a match against New England Revolution on Wednesday night that has been organised as part of the club’s campaign against anti-discrimination.

He will have one more club fixture after that which is the Europa League Final on May 29th so time is short to finalise negotiations with Real Madrid.

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