Real Madrid transfer news: Neymar the No.1 target ahead of Eden Hazard

According to reports Real Madrid’s No.1 summer transfer target is Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar and should they sign the Brazilian it would see Eden Hazard’s dream move ruined.

Earlier this season Chelsea playmaker Hazard admitted that he dreamt of one day playing for Real and was torn between staying at Stamford Bridge or moving to Spain.

Speaking in October the 28-year-old said: “Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I don’t want to lie. It is my dream since I was a kid. I was dreaming about this club. We will see.

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“I don’t want to talk about this every day. I don’t have time but we will talk about my future soon. I think so.”

Recent reports suggest that Real are prepared to spend £100m on Hazard and this week he told French broadcaster RMC Sport that he had “made a decision” on his future.

Chelsea are reportedly ready to offer Hazard a new contract worth £300,000 a week to stay in west London. His current deal expires in 2020.

Neymar instead of Hazard?

Despite being linked with a move for Hazard, The Sun reports that former Barcelona forward Neymar is still wanted by Real Madrid and the 27-year-old is also keen on a return to La Liga.

Neymar moved to PSG from Barca for a world-record €222m (£200m) transfer fee in August 2017 and the Sun says that Real would need to fork out a similar amount.

€300m set aside for Neymar

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague says that Neymar is Real’s No.1 summer target and the Champions League holders have set aside €300m (£263.7m) to make the deal happen.

However, if a move for the Brazilian fails then Real could instead try to sign Hazard and Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen.

Balague said: “He can’t cost less than €300m? Right now, Real Madrid are putting that aside to see if he’s available. Otherwise that money will go to Hazard and Eriksen. That’s the plan so far.”

Courtois urges Real to sign Hazard

While Neymar may be the first-choice target this summer Real Madrid and Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes the club should make a move for his international team-mate Hazard.

Courtois, who signed for Madrid from Chelsea last August, told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad: “I [would] choose Eden, of course. I really like him, but the choice is up to the board.”