Chelsea Transfer News: Eden Hazard, Radja Nainggolan, Mats Hummels, Top Rumours

Chelsea reportedly won't sell winger Eden Hazard this summer, although there's some dispute that the asking price may be scaring suitors away from the mercurial Belgian.

The Stamford Bridge club has also received a boost in prospective attempts to sign AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan and Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels.

Beginning with Hazard, Sam Wallace of the Daily Telegraph told Sunday Supplement (h/t Richard Morgan of Sky Sports) there are no plans to sell the No. 10:

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The feeling at Chelsea is that it would be foolish to sell him. He has been the Player of the Year. Twelve months ago he was a very good player and they believe he will be a good player again.

...

So I do not think they envisage massive changes and they certainly do not envisage selling Hazard because he is, for all his faults, a player who is very highly regarded.

"

Wallace also revealed how incoming manager Antonio Conte will be required to help revive Hazard's form: "Certainly one of the things the new manager will be expected to do will be to get the best out of him."

Michel Euler/Associated Press

Yet regard for Hazard's mostly untapped talent may not be the main motivation for keeping him in west London. In fact, Neil Fissler of the Sunday Express thinks Chelsea may be forced to keep Hazard if they don't alter their transfer demands: "After a string of lacklustre performances this season, Real and [Paris Saint-Germain] are backing off from the asking price of around £80m—with both clubs keen on a deal nearer to £60m."

Certainly, £80 million is a fanciful sum to expect for an attacker who looks as though he has lost interest in football this season. Hazard's lethargic campaign is best summed up by his middling statistics, including scoring just two goals in all competitions, per WhoScored.com.

His numbers are nothing like what should be expected from a player renowned for his pace, trickery, vision and flair. There's no doubt Hazard has the ability to dominate games at the highest level. But getting the 25-year-old to deliver on that talent regularly is something few managers have achieved.

Fixing perhaps the key player in Chelsea's attack won't be any easier for Conte.

Nainggolan and Hummels Chances Boosted

Of course, things would be easier for Hazard and his fellow attackers next season if Chelsea are more stable at the back. It could happen if Conte secures tough-tackling midfield terrier Nainggolan.

Paul White/Associated Press

His chances of doing so have been lifted by a recent development, according to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph: "Chelsea's bid to sign Nainggolan from Roma has been boosted by the fact the midfielder’s future has been placed into the hands of Mohamed Salah’s agent."

Law also noted how Roma want to sign Chelsea loanee Salah for £15 million. The player's agent, Remy Abbas, has reportedly been in London discussing both Salah and Nainggolan's futures.

Chelsea's interest in the beefy Belgian is as difficult to decipher as these negotiations.

While Nainggolan's power in the middle would be welcomed by most teams, the Blues already have Nemanja Matic and promising youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Each player has the ability to anchor midfield for Conte next season.

Where Chelsea have a greater need is at the heart of defence, making interest in Hummels logical. The ball-playing centre-back recently told German publication Bild (h/t Marc Williams of the Daily Star) he may leave Dortmund this summer: "I do not necessarily want [to leave], but I have to make a big decision."

While those comments are hardly conclusive, Williams believes Hummels' words will give hope to Chelsea and Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Blues were linked with Hummels back in March by Sport Bild's Heiko Ostendorp (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star).

Chelsea need a new talisman at the back with skipper John Terry possibly leaving at the end of the season. They also need a player more competent in possession than Gary Cahill.

During his time at Juventus, Conte favoured Leonardo Bonucci, a defender capable of playing out from the back. Executing quality passes out of defence has been Hummels' calling card during a fine career at both club and international level.

He would fit in as the focal point of a defence Conte must overhaul this summer.

That's a priority for the new Chelsea boss, along with salvaging the marquee player within Hazard. Both of those things certainly rate higher than recruiting another midfield destroyer.