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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Gareth Bicknell

Real Madrid 'to announce Eden Hazard transfer at end of season'

Real Madrid will announce the signing of Chelsea's Eden Hazard at the end of the season, according to reports.

Zinedine Zidane is desperate to take Belgian ace Hazard to the Bernabeu as the new Real Madrid boss looks to turn the La Liga giants back into a dominant force at home and in Europe.

And Madrid are reportedly ready to break their transfer record by paying 140million euros (£120m) for the 28-year-old - despite the fact he only has a year left in his contract with Chelsea .

Real's season is all but done, but with the club destined to finish third in La Liga behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid , while they were knocked out of the Champions League by Ajax in the round of 16.

But Chelsea have plenty to play for with two games left to seal a top-four spot in the Premier League , while their Europa League fate hangs in the balance following a 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday.

Eden Hazard holds off David Abraham of Eintracht Frankfurt during the 1-1 draw in Germany (Darren Walsh)

Chelsea fans think club has dropped Eden Hazard transfer hint with new kit release

The transfer is virtually a done deal according to Marca . However, in order not to derail Chelsea's season, Real Madrid are planning to keep the signing of Hazard under wraps until Chelsea's season is over, says the Spanish publication.

That could be as early as May 12, when Chelsea play their final Premier League game away to Leicester City , although Real may decide to wait until their own season finishes a week later.

But if Chelsea progress past Frankfurt at Stamford Bridge next Thursday, it would mean Real having to wait until after the final on May 29 to reveal the Chelsea star's capture.

Real Madrid hope Hazard will provide the creativity and goals they have been lacking since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Juventus last summer.

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