Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane's return sees first approach for Eden Hazard as one of three blockbuster transfers
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen and one of PSG's Neymar or Kylian Mbappe are also summer targets
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid have made an initial approach for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, in the first step of an ambitious summer overhaul of their squad.
There is a strong belief at the Bernabeu that the Belgian now wants to leave Stamford Bridge this year, with the re-appointment of his player idol Zinedine Zidane as Madrid manager only offering further motivation. Hazard has long wanted to work with the French legend.
Complicating the issue is Chelsea’s transfer ban, pending an appeal.
The feeling is they would not want to sell if they cannot sign, but the risk would then be that they lose Hazard for nothing the following year, since he has shown no willingness to sign a new contract. His current deal is up in 2020, when he can go for free.
The Bernabeu hierarchy hope that, if a Chelsea transfer ban does stand for the summer, the club would see the business sense in selling Hazard then.
He would be valued at £100m, which is also what Madrid would hope to pay for Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen, in a double Premier League move that completely revamps their forward line.
There is an expectation that Madrid would sign another star after that, with one of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe the primary target.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments