Real Madrid are reportedly weighing up a move for Eden Hazard, who is Zinedine Zidane’s first priority to replace Gareth Bale.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Real Madrid are making their preparations to replace Gareth Bale, whose time at Santiago Bernabeu appears to be coming to an end. Los Blancos are thus, set to relaunch their attempt to land Eden Hazard from Chelsea.
Hazard is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, having been an integral figure in Chelsea’s fortunes over the last five years. Since joining the West London club, the player has been one of the first names on the team sheet whenever fit, and has gone on to rack up over 250 appearances for them.
With 75 goals and 66 assists in his Chelsea career, Hazard has essentially made a direct contribution every other game. And having been a pivotal figure in each of the Blues’ Premier League title triumph, the Belgian winger is unsurprisingly a highly sought-after player in the transfer market.
Eden Hazard dreams of playing under Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane one day. ? pic.twitter.com/7X2xrs5Tw4
— Goal (@goal) November 9, 2017
Among all his suitors, Real Madrid have been the most heavily linked club, having attempted to sign him on a number of occasions previously, albeit unsuccessfully so. Los Blancos, though, have not admitted defeat in their pursuit of Hazard, and are set to make another move for him.
Gareth Bale’s fitness troubles – the Welshman has missed the better part of the last two seasons, and has been sidelined for two months this term as well – has left Zinedine Zidane woefully short of world class options in attack, with Karim Benzema struggling for his best form as well.
With Marco Asensio only just emerging as a talent, the Real Madrid boss needs reinforcements in order to rediscover the attacking swagger that his side have been known for in the last two years. Zidane has, thus, decided to launch the offensive for Hazard yet again, with Bale looking set to depart from the Bernabeu.
The Frenchman is also prepared to offer Bale’s number 11 jersey to the player in order to tempt him to sign the dotted line. Chelsea, though, would most likely be unwilling to sell the Belgium international at any amount, and are trying to tie him down to a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
But, the Blues would definitely be concerned about Hazard’s future, with the winger recently admitting that he would love to work with Zidane. It now remains to be seen if Real Madrid finally succeed in their pursuit of the 26-year-old, or if Chelsea manage to keep hold of the player.
