Prospective bidders of Chelsea Football Club must reference Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial summer move to Manchester United before embroiling themselves into a sentimental transfer battle with Arsenal. Eden Hazard has courted interest from Mikel Arteta's side, according to French outlet FootMercato, and while a return for the Belgian would open a quick passage into fans' hearts, the winger's return would be a pale imitation of the player who crowned himself prince of Stamford Bridge.
A combination of several injuries and Vinicius Junior's surge to superstardom has hampered the 31-year-old's tenure at Real Madrid. But, having impressed in the small windows of opportunity that's been handed to him by Carlo Ancelotti, Hazard has shown glimpses of his former self and caught the Gunners' eye.
The Belgium international has featured 65 times for Los Blancos, averaging just 51 minutes per game since swapping west London for the Spanish capital in 2019. And, while a route out of the Santiago Bernabeu this summer could reignite his career, Hazard must remind himself of his legacy at Chelsea.
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However, FootMercato does not credit Thomas Tuchel's side with interest in their former number ten which hands the club's prospective owners a dilemma that Manchester City has already solved. Pep Guardiola's side emerged as front-runners to secure the blockbuster signing of Ronaldo.
The Premier League champions struck a nerve at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils soon swooped in to hijack the deal. Ronaldo has impressed at United, but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has yet to have had the desired effect.
Man City has since had the last laugh and enjoyed a spectacular season without an archetypal number nine. On the other hand, United has struggled to integrate Ronaldo into a system that compliments his strengths.
Ronaldo's summer transfer saga must pose a warning to prospective Chelsea bidders should they look to challenge Arsenal for Hazard's signature. While his return would hand Blues fans bragging rights - among various other attractive factors - over the Gunners, the next owners should begin their tenure with a statement signing who can spearhead a new project oppose to a nostalgia-fueled arrival.
