Eden Hazard is on the verge of agreeing personal terms with Real Madrid after lengthy negotiations between the club and the player’s representatives.
Hazard, who has 12 months remaining on his contract at Chelsea, is determined to join Madrid this summer and has rebuffed the Blues’ attempts to make him the highest paid player in Premier League history.
The Independent understands negotiations have not been altogether smooth but with the summer window drawing nearer both camps are keen to reach a resolution and increase the likelihood of any deal being passed in the summer.
Chelsea will play hardball over Hazard and demand a fee of £100m, but with his contract ticking down the club’s hand is limited and they have reluctantly accepted that the Belgian looks set to leave after seven years in west London.
Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has always been a keen admirer of the 28-year-old and has been guaranteed big signings by Florentino Perez as he attempts to overhaul a floundering squad.
The upholding of Chelsea’s transfer ban by Fifa is unlikely to affect the transfer with direct replacement Christian Pulisic arriving from Borussia Dortmund for £58m.
After Chelsea’s Europa League semi-final win against Eintracht Frankfurt, in which Hazard scored the winning penalty, the Chelsea talisman insisted he isn’t sure if it would be the last time he trod foot at Stamford Bridge.
“I don’t think about that. I’m only thinking about winning something for this club and this squad. If it’s my last game I will try to do everything for this club to win a trophy. In my mind, I don’t know yet [if it will be his last game].”
