Real Madrid must pay a world record 225 million euros if they want to sign Eden Hazard, with Chelsea refusing to let the Belgian winger go easily according to the Daily Mail.
The forward had a fine World Cup and Real Madrid would love him to replace the departed Cristiano Ronaldo.
Hazard has two years on his contract remaining but will not sign a new deal at the moment despite Chelsea offering him one worth £300,000 per week.
Madrid need to sign a forward to add the goals they lost with Ronaldo but Chelsea want more than the 222m euros that PSG paid Barcelona for Neymar last summer.
The Blues are asking for £200m, which works out at almost 225m euros. Isco could be the reason why Real Madrid end a pursuit of Chelsea winger Eden Hazard. Real may not be willing to meet the Blues’ valuation of €200 million because they believe Isco can thrive under coach Julen Lopetegui, according to AS.
Los Blancos don’t want to be forced into a quick and expensive move for Hazard, especially with creative talents Isco and Marco Asensio already on the books.
Lopetegui took over from Zinedine Zidane this summer, and getting the most from Isco and Asensio will be a priority for the former Spain boss. His remit is clear after Football Espana noted the “European champions will not make a ‘galactico’ signing this summer” due to how much they trust Isco.
Such faith is well-placed since the 26-year-old is coming off a productive season. He scored eight goals and tallied nine assists across all competitions during Zidane’s final campaign at the helm.
The Frenchman even made Isco a fixture of his UEFA Champions league best XI as Welsh forward Gareth Bale continued to fight off injuries. Isco’s subtle movement, intelligent passing and natural flair offered a less direct, but more intuitive threat.
Lopetegui is likely to value those qualities considering how he adhered to Spain’s possession-based philosophy.
Of course, Chelsea are aware of both Real’s need and Hazard’s talent. It’s why the west London club wants more than £200 million to part ways with the 27-year-old Belgium international, according to the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones.
It would be a world-record transfer, something Real can afford to resist when the squad already features Isco and Asensio, two dynamic attacking midfielders both younger than Hazard.