Eden Hazard Rumours: Real Madrid to Sign Chelsea Star in €100M Transfer

Eden Hazard will reportedly leave Chelsea to join Real Madrid this summer in a €100 million (£86.5 million) transfer that's been described as an "inevitable encounter." 

L'Equipe (h/t Football Espana) reported winger Hazard and Real manager Zinedine Zidane both share the desire to complete the deal as the Frenchman goes about remodelling his team.

The player said after Chelsea's 0-0 draw against Leicester City on Sunday that he had informed his employers of his intentions: "Yes, (the club were made aware of my decision) a couple of weeks ago. Yes I have made my decision, but it is not just about me. I have made my decision, that's it."

It's said Hazard—who has a little more than one year left on his contract—will complete his move to Madrid after Chelsea face Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League final on May 29.

Ligue 1 broadcaster Matt Spiro elaborated on the deal, with negotiations seemingly unlikely to hold up any movement:

Hazard, 28, will leave Stamford Bridge not long after collecting a fourth Chelsea Player of the Year award should he depart, and he's capped off a terrific-if-turbulent campaign after leading the club to fourth.

The Belgian has shone consistently in what's been a difficult first season in England for manager Maurizio Sarri. Hazard has often spoken of his fondness for "dream" club Real and 1998 FIFA World Cup star Zidane, who will attempt to restore their strength following a nightmare 2018-19 season.

Gareth Bale looks to be on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu after Zidane omitted the Welshman from his squad for Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Real Sociedad. The manager then said in his post-match notes that it was "very clear" why he had dropped the winger, who has been linked with a move away.

Hazard, on the other hand, has thrived for Chelsea whether he's been fielded out wide or as a makeshift centre-forward, ending his season with a Premier League high of 15 assists:

That's to go along with his Chelsea high of 16 goals—just six off the Golden Boot winners—all while adapting to new philosophies and tactics that Sarri brought to west London.

Hazard's malleability in that sense is likely a large factor in Real's ongoing interest, not to mention his ability to beat players with the ball at his feet, per Squawka:

Real are already shaping Vinicius Junior, 18, into a more refined wing threat and could induct Santos starlet Rodrygo Goes, also 18, into their ranks when he joins the club later this year.

However, Hazard would represent a force already playing at his peak and the kind of "Galactico" signing Real fans often hope to see arrive at the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos are under great pressure to impress next season after they're set to finish third in La Liga, with no trophies in sight, and Hazard looks set to play a role in their attempted revival.