Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Eden Hazard and Benjamin Mendy

Eden Hazard is reportedly still keen on joining Real Madrid and is stepping up his recovery from ankle surgery to help make a move from Chelsea happen.

Meanwhile, the Blues are keeping tabs on AS Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy after Premier League rivals Manchester City saw a bid turned down, per reports.

Spanish source Diario Gol (h/t James Cambridge of the Daily Express) has revealed how Real manager Zinedine Zidane is pushing for Los Blancos to sign Hazard once he's fit: "Zidane is said to be urging the Real board to make a move for Hazard this summer, despite his injury layoff. And the 26-year-old is aware of this and is doing everything possible to speed up his recovery to tempt the Spanish club."

Hazard has been identified as one of Zidane's primary targets, along with Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe, per another report from Diario Gol (h/t Joel Watson of the Daily Star).

Interestingly, that report also said Real would step up their attempts to sign one of Hazard or Mbappe if the club sold either of defender Danilo or striker Alvaro Morata. Ironically, the latter has since agreed a deal to join Chelsea, according to a club statement.

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Of course, Morata's chances of quickly becoming a success at Stamford Bridge will be greater with Hazard still around. The Belgium international winger is the creative fulcrum of the side that won last season's league title.

His pace, trickery and flair, from both the flanks and central areas, make Chelsea tick in the final third. Hazard should also think twice about leaving after enjoying his finest season in England on manager Antonio Conte's watch.

The 26-year-old scored 17 times and supplied five assists, per WhoScored.com. He is now the focal point of a fluid attack built to let his talents flourish.

Hazard would be unlikely to enjoy the same status and freedom at Real, where he would first have to get into the side ahead of Gareth Bale, Isco, Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema. Even then, the former Lille OSC star would merely be a supporting act for prolific forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Hazard should stay at Chelsea and help inspire the club to greater success as the Blues return to the UEFA Champions League in the new season. He is not expected to return to training until early September, which is after the close of the summer transfer window.

Conte may have tweaked his attack with the pending arrival of Morata, but he also wants to improve his options defensively. Specifically, the Italian has shown interest in powerhouse left-back Mendy, per Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph: "Sources at Monaco also claim the club has now received an inquiry from Chelsea for Mendy, with the Premier League champions being asked to be kept informed on developments regarding the French international."

Burt was reporting how the Ligue 1 champions had rebuffed a bid worth £44.5 million from City. He also noted how Chelsea won't meet the fee demanded by Juventus for another left-sided target, Alex Sandro.

The Blues' interest in defenders who play on the left is curious since Marcos Alonso thrived on the same side last season. He registered six goals and three assists in England's top flight, per WhoScored.

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Still, it seems clear Conte is intent on adding fresh talent at the position. A report from The Times (h/t Alex Wood of the Daily Star) says the Blues have already bid £60 million for Sandro.

Given Monaco's reaction to City's bid for Mendy, it's unlikely the Frenchman will represent a significantly cheaper option.

Adding to the squad makes sense for Conte as Chelsea prepare to challenge on multiple fronts. However, any signings will be undermined if star man Hazard is allowed to leave.