Real Madrid Transfer News: Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling Double Blow Dealt

Eden Hazard has denied rumours he will leave Chelsea for Real Madrid, saying the Premier League side are the only team to make him "dream."

Hazard appeared on French television station Canal+, where he was once again forced to bat away questions about his future. The Belgian international has denied speculation linking him to Paris Saint-Germain in the past and remained resolute when Madrid were thrown into the equation (translated by Dov Rawson of 101 Great Goals):

"

I never said that if I left Chelsea it will only be for Real Madrid. The only club that makes me dream is Chelsea. I made the choice to join Chelsea because I knew I was going to play. This is my third year here. I don’t know if I’m the main asset of the team, but I can take pleasure by playing in this team.

"

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Christian Benteke, Hazard's international team-mate, made headlines in 2012 when he suggested Hazard would ditch the Blues in an instant if Madrid come calling. "His dream is to join Real Madrid—so I don’t see why he can’t join them in a year or two," noted the Aston Villa striker, per Rik Sharma in the Daily Mail. 

These innocent comments have come back round to fuel speculation Hazard could secure a move to the Bernabeu, as reports continue to suggest he would be the chosen replacement for Gareth Bale, per Spanish publication Fichajes and via the Metro.

It appears unlikely Bale will leave Los Blancos so soon however, not after Carlo Ancelotti outlined him as "one of the most important players" in the squad, per AS and via Dermot Corrigan ESPN FC.

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Bale's recent injury problems have allowed Isco to establish himself in the team, but the European champions would be foolish to cash in on one of their most powerful match-winners after little over a season with the club.

Hazard has posted a decent start to the season. He continues to flit between being anonymous or a match-winner, but he should certainly be considered one of Chelsea's most important players. He has scored five and assisted two in 15 appearances across the Premier League and Champions League so far, per WhoScored.com.

Madrid's annual quest to strengthen may hit a dead end here if Hazard is to be Florentino Perez's next choice of superstar. One has to question whether Jose Mourinho would sanction a move after the disappointing way he left the Spanish club, so the European champions may be best served to focus elsewhere.

Raheem Sterling has also been linked, but such interest was recently denied by Ancelotti. A report in the Sunday Mirror (h/t Jonathan Green of the Daily Star) suggests Sterling is "poised" to sign a new £100,000-per-week deal with Liverpool which would feature a £60 million release clause for the player.

The 19-year-old's emergence recently saw him outlined as the sport's top prospect by B/R UK's Sam Tighe:

Madrid rarely balk at hefty fees, but Sterling would need to continue developing his potential before this valuation is appropriate. Such a sum is put in place to cover the Reds' back more than anything after Arsenal cheekily tried to nab Luis Suarez for £40 million and one pound in 2013.

The onset of the January transfer window is likely to see plenty of talent linked to Madrid, who currently lead La Liga by two points. Financial Fair Play will play a part in any negotiations, meaning high-profile players are likely to leave if a costly arrival is agreed.

Hazard and Sterling currently rank among their sides' most influential stars and would be extremely difficult to prise away during the middle of the season, should Madrid's interest develop into something concrete.