French champions Paris Saint-Germain and Spanish giants Real Madrid are both set to make moves for Chelsea forward Eden Hazard in the summer, according to reports.
Hazard, the reigning Premier League player of the year, has endured a difficult start to the season, and has seen his place in the Chelsea starting line-up come under threat.
The public criticism levelled at the Belgian forward from his manager Jose Mourinho has led to claims of a breakdown in the relationship between the two, and subsequent speculation has surfaced that Hazard could be heading for the Stamford Bridge exit.
Based on the reports from the British media, PSG and Real Madrid are ready to offer Hazard a route out of Chelsea, with £80 million (Dh 447m) the figure quoted in the Daily Mail.
Despite his current struggles for form, Chelsea are reluctant to lose their best player and will resist any offers that are made for Hazard.
The 24-year-old signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea last season, but the ongoing crisis at the Premier League champions — and his own form — has meant a previously guaranteed future at the club has become less certain.
The National’s view
Given the ongoing problems at Chelsea, it is no surprise to see reports linking their star players away from the club. While he has struggled this season, there is no doubt Eden Hazard remains vital to Chelsea’s hopes of breaking their poor form, and the club will understandably be reluctant to lose him. However, as we have seen many times in football, money does talk and if Hazard makes it clear he wants to leave, then a big enough offer will surely force Chelsea’s hand. Expect this story to carry on through to next summer, especially if Chelsea’s poor form continues.
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