There’s big news coming out of Spain on Wednesday, as Onda Madrid, via their show El Partido de la Una, claim that Eden Hazard already has a ‘full agreement’ with Real Madrid for a transfer next summer.
That’s just between the player and the Spanish club, however, as Chelsea have in no way whatsoever agreed to a sale and, in fact, plan on making it as difficult as possible for the forward to leave Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are said to be asking for €170m for their star, which Real Madrid are not interested in paying, which is where Mateo Kovacic could come in.
The Croatian midfielder is already on loan with the Premier League side, and the La Liga side are hoping they can convince Chelsea to lower their demands by including him in any deal taking Hazard to Madrid.
If that isn’t enough, or the Blues simply don’t want to keep Kovacic around next season, then Florentino Pérez and co. would be prepared to include Marco Asensio instead.
The issue for Chelsea here is the upcoming summer is their last chance to make money off the Belgium international, whose deal runs out in 2020, and we all know they aren’t going to let him go on a free.
They didn’t with Thibaut Courtois, and it would be very strange if they changed their stance for Hazard.
So it’s either €170m (and that price won’t go down between January and June), or it’s Kovacic (or Marco Asensio) + cash for the 27-year-old.
That’s how Onda Madrid see it. And Onda Madrid are new to us.
Bottom line is, they say Hazard said yes to Real Madrid, which isn’t a surprise in itself since playing there has always been his dream, but Chelsea don’t want to let him go for cheap.
Given the player’s long held desire for a move to the club, and him not being afraid to make that public, the only advance in this would be the Spaniards seriously making a move… an aspect of the transfer which has been lacking.
