Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale Exchange Rumours
Real Madrid are reportedly ready to offer Chelsea £100 million and Gareth Bale in exchange for Eden Hazard in the summer.
According to Neil Fissler and Connor O'Sullivan of the Sunday Express, Los Blancos are desperate to get the Belgium international to the Santiago Bernabeu—so much so they are willing to part with a key player and a substantial sum of money.
"The Spanish giants have made Hazard their No. 1 target for the summer," Fissler and O'Sullivan reported. "Hazard is stalling on signing a lucrative new contract at Stamford Bridge, which is being interpreted as a clear sign Hazard wants a move to Real Madrid."
Fissler and O'Sullivan added that Chelsea may have a "clear" run at signing Bale too because Manchester United are said to no longer hold an interest in the Wales international after their acquisition of Alexis Sanchez.
Tottenham Hotspur are also noted to have a first-option clause should Madrid decide to sell Bale, but Sunday's report doubted whether Spurs would be able to meet Los Blancos' valuation.
Hazard has long been linked with Madrid, and the report stated he has previously spoken of how much he admires the European champions. Per Sport Witness, the Chelsea star has been dropping more hints about Los Blancos lately:
Madrid's interest would be understandable, and the club boasts a special allure for the world's best players. Hazard, who has won two Premier League titles with Chelsea, belongs in that bracket.
There aren't many footballers capable of producing what the former Lille man does. Hazard is nimble in possession, boasts an incredible change of pace and is composed when he marauds into dangerous areas.
In addition to the aesthetics, he makes tangible contributions. Per the BBC Match of the Day Twitter account, he's been doing that for a while:
Bale's Madrid career is at an interesting point, as the former Spurs man is battling to secure a regular first-team spot after his most recent injury layoff.
When he's on the field, he's one of a select few players who can be as effective as Hazard. The winger blends power, speed and a tremendous finishing ability. Bale has also conjured some key moments in the biggest matches for Madrid.
Still, as BBC Sport's Simon Stone noted when the 28-year-old was left on the bench for the recent meeting with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, he doesn't appear to have the trust of manager Zinedine Zidane:
Getting Bale and a nine-figure sum would sweeten Chelsea's loss. Plus, with Hazard yet to sign a new contract and making subtle hints he would fancy a switch to the Bernabeu, the deal would make sense for all parties.
However, Bale will be hopeful of getting fit and forcing his way back into contention at Madrid. Chelsea, meanwhile, should be doing all they can to get Hazard's contract extended to prevent these rumours surfacing with increased regularity.
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