Chelsea have reportedly been approached by intermediaries proposing a stunning return for Eden Hazard, just two years after the forward departed Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid in a €100million (£86m) deal.
Hazard was unveiled to 50,000 screaming Madrid fans in June 2019, with the Bernabeu faithful desperate for a ‘Galactico’ signing to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo who had left to join Juventus the previous summer.
But the 30-year-old international has badly struggled to live up to expectations after suffering a series of muscle injuries across a miserable two-year spell, managing just five goals in all competitions for Los Blancos.
Widespread reports suggest Hazard is keen to put an end to his Madrid nightmare and it appears a dream reunion could be a possibility, with Chelsea his favoured destination.
According to Spanish publication AS, Chelsea have been contacted over a sensational U-turn for Hazard and it’s claimed the winger ‘could be in line’ to rejoin the Champions League holders ahead of the forthcoming campaign.
However, there are several major stumbling blocks which could prevent a potential agreement from getting off the ground this summer. Firstly, Madrid are said to be demanding in excess of €60m (£52m) from potential suitors for Hazard’s signature which would be an enormous gamble for any team when taking into account his recent fitness problems.
It’s claimed Hazard’s eye-watering wage demands are likely to be another issue for Chelsea, given the Belgium international is earning significantly more now – reportedly around £416k-a-week – than he ever did in in west London.
The report also emphasises that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is first and foremost targeting a move for a big-name centre-forward, with Borussia Dortmund and Norway striker Erling Haaland the club’s prime target up front.
The Blues are already well stocked in Hazard’s area of the pitch, with the likes of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech battling it out for regular game-time under Thomas Tuchel.
Hazard remains a popular figure among senior members of Chelsea’s dressing room, though, and would be welcomed back with open arms despite his struggles at Madrid.
He is also extremely well regarded by Chelsea supporters after helping side win two Premier League titles, two Europa League trophies, an FA Cup and a League Cup across his seven-year stay.
Just last month, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, formerly Hazard’s team-mate at Chelsea, played down mounting speculation his fellow countryman could be set to leave the La Liga giants.
‘I’m 100 per cent sure he’s staying,’ Courtois told Le Soir.
‘He doesn’t want to move. Only the Madrid press writes about the desire to leave.
‘He wants to continue, play free of injuries and win titles.
‘At Real Madrid there is criticism all the time and for everyone. Gareth Bale was criticized, but he won the Champions League and scored a double in the final in Kyiv.
Courtois added: ‘We all know that in Madrid there is pressure and criticism from the press and the fans. But Eden can handle that.
‘I know him well enough to say it. He can still change everything.
‘He still wants to be an important player for Madrid and win titles.’
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