Real Madrid Transfer News: World-Class Signings on Carlo Ancelotti's Radar

Real Madrid face an uphill struggle to land some of the Premier League's biggest stars in 2015 if reports are to be believed, with Carlo Ancelotti in the hunt to sign David de Gea and Eden Hazard.

Los Merengues look like Europe's strongest outfit at present, but in the pursuit of perfection, even the continental titans will seek to improve their ranks further this winter and beyond.

Latest speculation suggests Ancelotti has his eyes set on England in doing so, but the news isn't encouraging in relation to two of the manager's biggest targets.

Eden Hazard

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Two-and-a-half years after arriving at Stamford Bridge, Hazard is still featuring as one of Chelsea's most instrumental stars, arguably their most consistent asset in that time frame.

The former Lille prodigy is reported by Metro's Hannah Duncan as bring one of those in Ancelotti's sights, but a new £200,000-a-week deal in west London could see those hopes crumble.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

The winger's current deal doesn't expire until 2017, but it's well known the Blues have been working to tie down their playmaker on extended terms.

Jose Mourinho is confident of securing Hazard's loyalties, quoted by Duncan as saying this weekend: "It will be done soon. But I’m not worried because they are almost there."

Hazard opened the scoring for Chelsea in their 2-0 beating of Hull City on Saturday and was voted Squawka's Man of the Match, his statistics proving what a vital character he was with Cesc Fabregas absent:

At the Bernabeu, Hazard would have incredibly stiffer competition with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez about, but it would seem Chelsea will be hanging on to their talisman for some time.

David de Gea

Another club looking to divert Real's attention away from their crop is Manchester United, who have reportedly lined up a new deal for David de Gea in the hopes of keeping him at Old Trafford.

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

De Gea would become the best-paid goalkeeper in the world if he were to pen the £140,000-a-week deal that Colin Harvey of the Daily Star writes is on the horizon.

The Spanish international has been essential for the Red Devils' rise back to prominence this season, and as Norwegian pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft suggests, his latest star display came in Sunday's 3-0 thrashing of Liverpool:

Simon Peach of the Press Association ranks De Gea as being among the elite of the English top flight, noting his ability to win points "single-handedly" for United, as has been shown this campaign:

Ancelotti's interest is understandable given the decline of Real stalwart Iker Casillas in recent seasons, even though Costa Rica's Keylor Navas was acquired just this past summer as cover.

However, De Gea would be an entirely different prospect in competition for the No. 1 jersey. United would seem all too aware of Los Blancos' glances and are doing all in their power to dissuade their stopper from eyeing a move back to his native La Liga.