Chelsea Transfer News: Eden Hazard 'Test' Expected from Real Madrid, Top Rumours

Real Madrid are reportedly weighing up a potential world-record move for Chelsea forward Eden Hazard in the summer. 

According to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, Los Blancos are ready to embark on "Operation Eden Hazard" in the coming months and will test the Blues' willingness to keep their star forward with a massive bid.

Indeed, it's suggested that any successful bid for the Belgium international would need to break the £100 million mark. As Mokbel noted, that would eclipse the current world-record acquisition of £89.3 million, which Manchester United parted with to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus ahead of the current campaign.

The latest report follows on from a story from Marca that Hazard is warming to the idea of a possible move to the Santiago Bernabeu:

"Real manager Zinedine Zidane is a huge fan of Hazard and is the driving force behind the club's interest, which is not always the case at the Santiago Bernabeu," Mokbel wrote. "But suggestions that Hazard is learning Spanish ahead of a move to Madrid are wide of the mark. He is well aware of Real's interest but is taking a relaxed view on his future."

It’s little surprise that Madrid's interest in the 26-year-old has spiked again, as Hazard has rediscovered his best for the Blues in 2016-17.

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While plenty of focus has been drawn to the midfield displays of N'Golo Kante in the heart of the Chelsea team, it's Hazard who knits together the Blues' attacking play with flair and incision. A return of 11 goals and four assists doesn't do justice to how good he's been in the current campaign.

As noted by WhoScored.com, defenders have found Hazard difficult to contain in the Premier League this season:

Madrid's pursuit of Hazard may look like an indulgent one on the face of it. After all, not only do they have Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, but pushing for a place in the team are Isco, James Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio.

Yet Hazard would bring something different to any of those players. Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo are all at their best with space to burst into, whereas Hazard is adept at weaving his magic in tight spaces infield or on the flank.

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He's a player who ties in with the "Galactico" recruitment strategy Madrid have been synonymous with down the years, too.

However, as noted by Lucas Navarette of Managing Madrid, should Real take a more sensible approach to their transfer dealings, other facets of the squad will surely be addressed first:

Arguably, Real need a new goalkeeper, with Keylor Navas struggling for form this season, while they could also do with reinforcements in defence and at the base of the midfield. Nevertheless, you wouldn't put it past Los Blancos going all out for a big-name attacker. It's what they have done so frequently down the years.

Chelsea won't be in any rush to sell, nor will they be under any pressure to do so. Hazard has a contract with the Blues until 2021, and given just how crucial he is to the Chelsea cause, it would be no surprise if the Premier League leaders turned their nose up at any offer that comes their way this summer.