Chelsea transfer news: Real Madrid ready to make offer for Eden Hazard

Real Madrid have made contact with Eden Hazard, claims the Daily Mail. The paper has on information from the Spanish press to the effect that manager Zinedine Zidane and president Florentino Perez have both been in touch with the Chelsea playmaker.

Hazard has long been regarded as a key target for the Bernabeu club. Stories have recently emanated from Stamford Bridge that he has “delayed signing a new £300,000-a-week deal” because of the interest from Madrid.

According to the Spanish outlet Diario Gol, Zidane has been granted permission by his president to make Chelsea an offer. The French coach regards the Belgium international as “key to his rebuilding project at Real”.

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The Mail says that Real first put Hazard on their shopping list last year but their interest waned when Marco Asensio and Isco began to impress.

But with the European champions struggling for consistency this season Zidane has decided he needs to freshen up his squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t getting any younger and with Hazard approaching his peak years Real intend to bring him to the Bernabeu sooner rather than later. The Chelsea stalwart, who arrived at the Bridge in 2012, has made no secret of his admiration for Real. He said recently that it would be a “dream” to play under Zidane.

Meanwhile the Daily Star reports that Thibaut Courtois may also be running down his Chelsea career and the goalkeeper “will not renew his contract at the club”.

Why not? Because he also fancies a move to Real Madrid where he will be installed as the No. 1 gloveman ahead of Keylor Navas.

Spanish outlet Don Balon say Courtois is Zidane’s priority signing ahead of Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga who was at one stage linked to the Bernabeu.