Hazard is staying put - for now
Eden Hazard has insisted that he will not be moving to Real Madrid in January, despite being urged by World Cup winner Rivaldo to leave Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu.
The 27-year-old Belgian admitted earlier this week that joining Real had been his “dream” since he was a kid, and refused to rule out a move to the Spanish giants, reports the BBC.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
With his contract expiring in June 2020, there is speculation that Real will try to lure Hazard to Spain next year. But according to the news site, Hazard has now said that there is no chance of him leaving Chelsea in January - though it seems he might still be open to a move at a later date.
Asked if a move to Real might improve his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, he replied: “That’s why I want to go, maybe.”
A big boost
Meanwhile, Brazil legend Rivaldo says he believes it would be in Hazard’s best interest to join Real Madrid, The Sun reports.
“In my opinion, Hazard could play even better at Real Madrid than in England as Spanish football gives a little more freedom to the players,” said Rivaldo, who won two La Liga titles with Barcelona. “This kind of move could be good for the club and fans, as the arrival of a top player would give a much needed boost after [Cristiano] Ronaldo’s departure.”
Money’s too tight to mention
The Daily Express says that another obstacle in Real’s path is funds, or possible lack of them. The Spaniards are in “a difficult situation when it comes to signing Eden Hazard”, because they may not be able to afford to pay his £300,000-a-week wages.
Real are missing the goals of Ronaldo this season, and Karim Benzema and Mariano Diaz are ploughing a lonely furrow up front.
That means Real’s priority is to sign a proven goal-scoring centre-forward next year, which “could leave them without enough funds to prise Hazard away from Chelsea”, the newspaper concludes.
