Would Real Madrid Really Offer James Rodriguez in Eden Hazard Swap Deal?

Real Madrid could send James Rodriguez to Chelsea as part of an exchange deal for Eden Hazard, according to a recent report out of Spain. While the rumor is sure to prompt plenty of fanciful what-if scenarios, a swap deal seems unlikely—especially in the upcoming transfer window.

The original report came from Spanish source Don Balon (h/t Metro), which indicated that Chelsea are open to allowing Hazard to join Real Madrid if Rodriguez heads the other way as part of the deal. 

But would Real really let Rodriguez go? Not likely.

Rodriguez, who just turned 24, ranks among the top playmakers in world football despite a recent injury-enforced absence. The Colombian is under contract until 2020, per Transfermarkt, which rates Rodriguez's market value at €80 million. Selling a player with so much upside would be short-sighted for Real.

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The same could be said of Chelsea and Hazard, who's also under contract until 2020 and whose market value is €70 million, according to Transfermarkt. But while there are vague reports about Rodriguez being unsettled under manager Rafa Benitez at Real Madrid (h/t the Sun), several stories of a similar bent have been circulating about Hazard for some time now.

The Daily Mail's Neil Ashton reported in October that Hazard was unhappy with life under manager Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. According to the report, Hazard "deliberately avoids the noise and politics" of the dressing room at Stamford Bridge.

The same month, French source L'Equipe (h/t Daily Mirror) claimed that Hazard was ready to quit Chelsea for Real Madrid in the summer, especially if Cristiano Ronaldo were to leave the Spanish giants. More recently, Metro's George Bellshaw cited a Fichajes report that indicated Hazard's relationship with Mourinho had reached an "all-time low."

It's possible all these reports are pure speculation, but the fact that they keep popping up suggests that something is not right between Hazard and Mourinho. For his part, Hazard has not been the same player this season as the one who won major individual prizes last season for his excellent performances in the Premier League. Now in his fourth year with Chelsea, Hazard might be open to a new challenge. While his price tag would be high, Real Madrid are one of the few clubs with the financial resources to pull off such a deal.

But even if Chelsea could be persuaded to sell, any agreement would surely have to wait until the summer. Although Hazard has struggled for form this season, Chelsea will need the Belgian in the squad if they are to turn around their season, which has started in shockingly poor style.

The X-factor here is Hazard's relationship with Mourinho. If the two have experienced a falling out, then Hazard could be ready for a move. That would give Real Madrid the upper hand in negotiations, meaning they wouldn't have to offer Rodriguez as part of the exchange.

Besides, it's hard to imagine Real letting Rodriguez go at this stage of his career.