Chelsea have reportedly slapped a £200 million price tag on Eden Hazard in a bid to ward off Real Madrid from the Belgian’s pursuit.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Chelsea are doing all that they can to keep Eden Hazard away from the clutches of Real Madrid until the summer transfer window slams shut. The Blues have placed a £200 million price tag on their Belgian talisman to ward off Los Blancos from his pursuit.
Chelsea are in a precarious situation as regards the future of Hazard, who recently hinted towards a possible departure from Stamford Bridge. The Belgian’s potential void will be extremely hard for the Blues to fill, considering he is one of their most important players, which is why they have been fighting tooth and nail to keep hold of him.
Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri has already iterated that he will talk to his unsettled players after their return from post-World Cup vacations, Hazard being one of them. In the meantime though, Real Madrid have the player firmly in their sights as they look to secure a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Los Blancos have reportedly already made their initial approach for the Chelsea talisman, and are willing to throw the kitchen sink to land him this summer. Real Madrid indeed look in desperate need of attacking reinforcements as well.
Ronaldo’s departure means the Real Madrid first-team squad is in serious need to compensate for the Portuguese’s contribution, which Hazard can partly cover for. The Belgian will also provide a creative boost to ease some of the burden on Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
But, Chelsea will not concede defeat easily, with the report suggesting that they will only part ways with Hazard if Real Madrid shell out a world record sum of £200 million. The Blues are of the opinion that the 27-year-old is worth as much as Neymar, if not more, to justify their valuation of the player.
With Hazard not pushing for a move despite making his desires clear, Chelsea will be hopeful of the asking price deterring Real Madrid in their pursuit of their star man. But, there are concerns that Hazard will snub the West Londoners’ offer of a new £300,000-a-week deal to complete his switch to the Bernabeu.
It now remains to be seen if the eye-watering price tag helps Chelsea succeed in keeping hold of Hazard, or if Real Madrid are willing to meet the valuation. This is a transfer saga that will likely stretch till the final days of the summer transfer window.
