Chelsea Transfer News: Eden Hazard Door Opened to Real Madrid, Latest Rumours

Chelsea are prepared to let Eden Hazard leave if their £84.2 million valuation of the player is met, as Real Madrid contemplate a "major bid" for the Belgium international. 

Media outlet Fichajes.net (h/t Luke Gardener of the Daily Star) claim Los Blancos could make their move in the summer, after Hazard's relationship with coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly "soured."

The reigning PFA Player of the Year has recovered some of his lost form in recent matches, but he is still far from the force of last season, which helped Chelsea to the Premier League title.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail recently reported the Galacticos are concerned they'll be asked to better the £86 million paid for Gareth Bale to Tottenham Hotspur in 2013, and it appears Mourinho's valuation is close to the world record:

"

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.

"

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Hazard worked hard for the team as the main striker in Chelsea's draw against Spurs in their last Premier League game. Mourinho dropped Diego Costa to the bench, rotating Hazard, Oscar and Pedro in the forward role, and the Belgian almost won the match with a stunning volley that was saved well by Hugo Lloris. 

However, Chelsea's position of 14th in the league table underlines the issues at Stamford Bridge, and Hazard's overall form has been unacceptable this term. 

He has failed to find the back of the net in 19 appearances in the Premier League and Europe in 2015-16, providing only two assists, according to WhoScored.com.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville (h/t Goal.com's Dan Kilpatrick) has questioned the winger's motivation to improve during Chelsea's slump, and debated if the player could reach the levels of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi:

"

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.

"

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Chelsea could do worse than obtain a huge fee for a player who appears to have lost his connection to the manager—both mentally and physically. There are a number of Chelsea players who are no longer performing for Mourinho, but Hazard's value will crash unless the Blues sell quickly.

Losing the playmaker will be a crushing blow for supporters at the Bridge, but the priority must be the overall shape of the starting XI, especially if Mourinho is to continue in charge. 

Chelsea must invest in January and beyond—which they failed to do after winning the title—and the money from a Hazard sale would free up space for new talent. 

Mourinho has to get Chelsea back where owner Roman Abramovich expects to be. Simply competing for a Champions League position is never enough for the Russian, and if Hazard's transfer from the club breathes new life into the manager's options, the disappointment of the loss will be worth the pain.