Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on David De Gea, Eden Hazard, More

As Real Madrid continue to find success in the 2014-15 season, the transfer rumour mill continues to churn out stories and reports linking the club with a host of top players around the world.

Los Blancos are one of the richest and most talked-about teams in the world—virtually any player in football can be linked with a transfer to the Spanish capital at any time—and if Florentino Perez has his heart set on a new target, he usually gets what he wants.

Real were very active during the summer and have no real need for reinforcements. Though they're not expected to be very active in January, that isn't stopping the press from speculating. Here's the latest news surrounding the team's transfer plans.

David De Gea Still on His Way Back to Spain?

J Pat Carter/Associated Press

The Sun (h/t Metro) suggest Real are still hopeful of signing Manchester United stopper David De Gea as Iker Casillas' long-term replacement, as the 23-year-old continues to baffle in goal for a struggling Red Devils side.

The Spanish international's contract runs out in 2016, and Metro believes Los Blancos are hoping to land the goalkeeper at a reduced price in the summer of 2015.

Contract negotiations between De Gea and United have moved at a snail's pace, but Spanish journalist Roberto Bonafont believes the parties are closing in on a five-year extension:

Writing for ESPN FC, Andy Mitten isn't so sure:

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De Gea's settled in Cheshire but it's not home, it's not where his close friends live, or where his partner works -- she's an established singer in Spain.

The lure of Madrid is considerable and he could become part of a game of chess in which [Jorge] Mendes owns almost all the pieces -- and he also knows that United's top earners are on a lot more than De Gea.

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While it seems unlikely that De Gea would leave United at this stage of his career, the right offer and the chance to move back to Madrid could lead to a shock transfer.

A cut-price deal seems out of the question, however. United have no intention of moving De Gea—even with his expiring deal—and some kind of swap-plus-cash deal appears the most likely solution.

Eden Hazard to Replace Gareth Bale?

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

In the event of a permanent transfer away from the club for Gareth Bale, Real are reportedly looking at Chelsea's Eden Hazard as his replacement, according to the Daily Express' David Wright.

The Belgian international is enjoying another fine season in west London, playing on the left wing for Jose Mourinho. Via Who Scored, he has scored six goals and added two assists so far this season, mainly serving as a lightning rod and menace to the defence out wide, while other players take advantage of the space he creates.

Wright claims Manchester United are willing to pay £90 million for Bale—a fee that could convince Los Blancos that a sale of the Welshman is the right course of action. With Isco and James Rodriguez stepping up tremendously in recent weeks, his future at the club is already being questioned.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti isn't the one asking questions, however, via Real Madrid TV's Phil Kitromilides:

The odds of Bale leaving Madrid are small to begin with. When healthy, he's one of the best players in the world, and Los Blancos courted the former Tottenham forward for years.

Even if he leaves, Real have the pieces to cope with his loss, and Hazard wouldn't be a great fit for Ancelotti's squad. The Belgian is a facilitator, not a scorer, and for Real, most of the scoring is done by the advancing wingers (a position Hazard would occupy).

Chelsea have repeatedly stated that Hazard is too important for them to sell, and any offer would have to be substantial, to say the least. There are too many variables working against a potential transfer for Hazard, so don't expect to see him in La Liga anytime soon.

Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi Train with Reserves

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Certain newspapers love to jump to conclusions, so when it became clear Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi were not training with the senior squad ahead of the team's clash against Liverpool, the Daily Star's Bruce Archer immediately saw it as a sign that January transfers were imminent.

Archer based his report off sources in Spain, like AS' Alvaro de la Rosa, who explained the duo trained in the gym, with neither being fit enough to make the team for Tuesday's match.

A transfer for one or both is still very much a possibility, but reading too much into the two being absent from training is just silly.

Khedira is expected either to leave the club in January or at the end of the season, when his contract runs out. Meanwhile, Illarramendi has failed to convince since moving to Los Blancos from Real Sociedad.

The 24-year-old was one of the team's biggest and most expensive signings of 2013, and it's unlikely Real are willing to give up on him after just two seasons. He had several good showings early this season, bringing balance to a midfield unit that is very attack-oriented.

He could leave the club for the right offer, but unlike Khedira's situation, don't expect Los Blancos to actively shop him in January and be willing to take a big loss on his initial transfer fee.

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