Chelsea have ruled out a move for star attacker Eden Hazard and are set to offer him a new bumper contract, according to reports.
The Belgian playmaker is said to be a prime transfer target for Real Madrid this summer after enjoying a strong World Cup with his nation.
A report in The Mirror says the FA Cup winners would even reject bids of £170m (€195m) for Hazard – which would represent the second most expensive transfer of all time.
The Belgian enjoyed a superb World Cup and is seen as the ideal Galactico to appease Madrid’s fan base following the £88m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Hazard has two years left on his contract though, which provides the Blues with some security ahead of the premature closure of this summer’s transfer window at the start of the Premier League season.
The 27-year-old’s deal at Stamford Bridge expires in June 2019 but they are also set to offer him a new contract worth a reported £300,000 in order to extend that stay.Barcelona are also said to have held an interest in the Belgian international, but do not see his signing as a priority.
The Belgium superstar, 27, said after the World Cup that “it might be time to discover something different” with Real Madrid looking at a replacement for Ronaldo.
But new boss Maurizio Sarri is desperate to keep the playmaker and Chelsea will ignore any moves for him unless it suits them.
The new boss hopes to meet Hazard as soon as possible – and claims he will know what the future will look like after their first training session together.
He said: “I like to look in the eyes of players and that usually tells me a lot.”
Chelsea have already signed Italy international Jorginho from Napoli after Manchester City pulled out of a £50m deal.
Jorginho, 26, has signed a five-year contract to join former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.
Two days before he signed for the Blues, City were assured by Jorginho’s agent that the midfielder still wanted to join them, despite Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis saying the player favoured Chelsea.
“I am absolutely ecstatic to be here at Chelsea,” Jorginho said.
“It is not easy to become part of such a big team so I am very, very happy. I am excited to play in such an intense league for a team that gives everything to play and win.”
Brazil-born Jorginho had been at Napoli since 2014 and scored four goals in 36 appearances for the side last season as they finished second in Serie A.