Liverpool are reportedly interested in prising Eden Hazard away from Real Madrid, but his wage demands could be a major obstacle.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Eden Hazard has popped up on the radar of Liverpool over a move in a future transfer window. However, the Real Madrid misfit is demanding astronomical wages, which could be a major hurdle for the Reds.
Eden Hazard completed his dream move to Real Madrid when he arrived from Chelsea in the summer of 2019. Considering his form at the time, Los Blancos would not have minded spending a club-record sum to secure his services. However, the 30-year-old has proven to be one of their worst ever purchases, with the player making little to no impact at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Hampered considerably by injuries, Hazard has made just 53 appearances for Real Madrid while garnering a paltry tally of five goals and nine assists in the process. And now, the Merengues seem to be eager to offload the Belgian international, and he has no shortage of suitors. One of the clubs keen on signing him are Liverpool.
Liverpool are rumoured to be on the lookout for a wide attacker heading into the January transfer window, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah set to join their respective national sides for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will render them unavailable for a month.
However, even when Salah and Mane are available, Jurgen Klopp could do with an additional attacking option, considering he does not fancy Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino in Premier League and UEFA Champions League settings. As a result, Liverpool have been linked with Fabio Carvalho, Harvey Barnes and Marco Asensio, whose Real Madrid teammate Hazard is now a target.
Hazard would have been ideal at his peak in Klopp’s setup, but his performance levels have dropped significantly in the last two years, which is why the interest comes as a bit of a surprise. However, the Liverpool boss believes he can create a formidable attacking unit with the Real Madrid misfit, which is why the Reds are set to launch the offensive for him.
However, a major obstacle standing in Liverpool’s way is Hazard’s wage demands, which do not align with what they are willing to pay him. So, it remains to be seen if the Belgian forward alters his demands or if Liverpool set their sights elsewhere.
For their part, Real Madrid might not have any qualms selling Hazard, judging by Carlo Ancelotti’s recent comments, so it will be interesting to see if Hazard returns to the Premier League by joining Liverpool in a future transfer window.
