Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata

Chelsea are ready to hand Eden Hazard a new contract in an attempt to stave off interest in the player from Real Madrid.

That's according to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, who noted that Los Blancos are keen on taking the forward to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer, as well as his club and international team-mate Thibaut Courtois. However, Law also suggested the Premier League leaders are confident both will stay.

"Hazard has told friends that he will be at Chelsea next season," Law said. It's also noted that there is "no rush" to agree fresh terms with the 26-year-old because he has three years remaining on his contract and, on £200,000 per week, is the Blues' highest earner.

Law also stated that reports suggesting Chelsea would be willing to allow Hazard to join Madrid as part of a deal that'd see Alvaro Morata move to London are false: "Chelsea are not interested in any deal for striker Morata, who wants to move to Stamford Bridge, that would see either Hazard or Courtois move the other way."

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According to the report, Chelsea want to strengthen their squad in the summer, with Morata, Everton pair Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley, AS Monaco's Tiemoue Bakayoko and Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk said to be on their transfer agenda.

Keeping Hazard is crucial for the Blues, though, as he's rediscovered his spark this season under Antonio Conte. Per Squawka Football, he's having an excellent year:

It's in stark contrast to the previous campaign, when the winger struggled for long spells. However, his advanced role in Conte's 3-4-3 system seems to have liberated the attacker, who has linked up to great effect with Diego Costa and Pedro in the final third.

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Hazard adds the stardust to the Chelsea attack. His ability to take possession in tight spaces, change pace and make composed decisions in the final third is unrivalled in the Premier League. It's why many view him as the standout candidate to be crowned Player of the Year in what has been a memorable season for the Blues.

With UEFA Champions League football likely on the agenda in west London in 2017-18, Conte will need to reinforce his squad, and a player like Morata would be a tremendous addition. 

As noted by Bleacher Report's Karl Matchett, the Spain international isn't a key man at the Santiago Bernabeu but shows the right attitude:

Nevertheless, his goal record is impressive; in 890 minutes of La Liga football this season, he's grabbed eight goals and two assists, per WhoScored.com. With speculation rife over Costa's future, according to Law, Morata's industry, physicality and potency in front of goal would make him a handy replacement.

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Even so, Chelsea's reported desire to keep Hazard in spite of their interest in Morata is understandable. After a small setback last term, it feels as though the Belgian is on an upward trajectory once again and well on his way to cementing his status as one of the world's most dangerous attackers.

Morata, who has started just nine league matches since returning to Madrid in the summer, will have a big decision to make at the end of the campaign. The chance for a fresh start with a club like Chelsea would surely be appealing to the 24-year-old.