Real Madrid have begun negotiations with Chelsea for the transfer of Eden Hazard, according to a report in Spain, with the two clubs at least €20m (£17.6m) apart on their valuation of the Belgian.
Chelsea are holding out for €120m (£106m), reports AS, but Real Madrid are not willing to break €100m (£88m) for a player with only one year left on his contract and who would therefore be available on a free transfer next summer.
The Real Madrid director Jose Angel Sanchez will travel to London later this week to meet his Chelsea counterpart Marina Granovskaia, who handles most transfer business on behalf of the Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
After playing a key role in Chelsea’s Europa League final victory last week, scoring two goals, Hazard said it was time for a new challenge. “I think this is goodbye,” he told BT Sport on the pitch after full-time.
Over the coming days Hazard will represent Belgium in the Nations League, as they take on Kazakhstan and then Scotland in Euro 2020 qualifiers, before going on holiday for the summer.
