Chelsea Transfer News: World-Record Eden Hazard Fee Feared by Real Madrid

Chelsea's recent misfortunes may have prised open the possibility of Eden Hazard leaving Stamford Bridge next year, but Real Madrid are reluctant to fork out a world-record fee for the Belgium international.

The wheels have been set in motion to bring Hazard to the Bernabeu next summer, according to the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel. However, Los Blancos are worried they'll be asked to better the £86 million paid for Gareth Bale in 2013:

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Bringing Hazard to the Spanish capital features prominently on Real's agenda, and work behind the scenes is already underway to make the swoop a reality. Hazard is understood to be aware of Real's interest. However, the La Liga club are fully aware of the financial implications that would surround such a deal.

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Despite his failure to perform alongside the rest of his Blues team-mates this season, Hazard maintains the reputation of a world-class player at his best, something Real feel confident of reviving should they sign him.

However, as Mokbel mentioned, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich isn't likely to be an accommodating negotiator and would demand mega money for the 24-year-old, who arrived at the club for £32 million from Lille in June 2012.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Real Madrid have already broken the transfer record twice signing players from the Premier League, buying Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United for £80 million in 2009 before recruiting Bale from Tottenham Hotspur.

Hazard's recent form is hardly deserving of a world-record fee given he's yet to score this season, and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has questioned the winger's will to fight (via Goal's Dan Kilpatrick):

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I mentioned three or four months ago that he would become one of the best players in the world. 

The best players have dips but they still contribute to the team, scoring goals, setting up goals. You have to question his mentality. I think he is a good boy but is he a killer? Is he really selfish like Messi and Ronaldo? 

He has to answer those questions now because we eulogised over him all last season but when players like him dip like he has at the moment, he has to take the hit.

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The west London outfit currently sit 15th in the Premier League and have lost nine games so far this season. Their current weak standing could be Real's best opportunity to take advantage and make a move for Hazard.

According to Kristof Terreur of Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws, the Spanish titans have been a fan of the player for some time and moves are being made to make his 2016 transfer come to fruition:

Mokbel also attests to Hazard's contract putting Chelsea "in a strong position" considering the ink is still relatively fresh on the five-year deal he signed earlier this year.

But Real may feel the investment could be worth it. It's hardly a coincidence Chelsea's stars appear to be underperforming at the same time, and Sky Sports Monday Night Football suggested that may be due to exhaustion:

The demands of La Liga would be considered less strenuous and the Telegraph's Matt Law reported earlier this year that Belgium manager Marc Wilmots was in support of Hazard moving to Spain to "avoid burnout."

Real Madrid will need to see Hazard get back to his best before they feel comfortable setting aside an £86 million investment next summer, while Chelsea may warm to the idea of selling should his barren run linger.