Chelsea transfer news: Real Madrid step up Eden Hazard pursuit following Zinedine Zidane appointment

Transfer target: Real Madrid will step up their bid to sign Hazard with Zidane in charge
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Simon Johnson5 January 2016

Real Madrid will step up their attempts to sign Chelsea star Eden Hazard in the summer after appointing Zinedine Zidane as their new manager.

Zidane was put in charge at the Bernabeu last night following president Florentino Perez's decision to bring Rafael Benitez's seven-month reign to an end.

Real Madrid have been huge admirers of Hazard for several years and were interested in buying him when he joined Chelsea from Lille for £32m in 2012.

The 24-year-old has always cited Zidane as his biggest idol in the game and admitted to dreaming of playing for Real Madrid earlier in his career.

Zidane, who urged Real Madrid to sign him from Lille, has spoken glowingly about the Belgium international on several occasions.

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Significantly, the France and Real Madrid legend came out in support of Hazard just two months ago following his poor start to the Premier League campaign and refused to rule out trying to lure him to La Liga in the future.

Zidane, who was coaching Real Madrid's reserve team Castilla at the time, said: "I have no doubts he'll be back. After Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Hazard is my favourite player. It is spectacular to see him play.

"Do I see him going to Real Madrid? I love the player, that's all I will say."

Chelsea agreed a new five-year contract worth £200,000-a-week with Hazard only 10 months ago in a bid to secure his long-term future and ease the threat posed by Real Madrid.

But Hazard, who was named Player of the Year by the PFA and FWA last season, has struggled for form and fitness since then.

He has not scored a goal for the reigning Premier League champions this term and his relationship with Jose Mourinho came under scrutiny before the Portuguese was fired last month.

Despite his problems, Chelsea will not want to sell their prize asset who Mourinho valued at '£100m for each leg' less than a year ago.

But with Chelsea unlikely to qualify for next season's Champions League, Real Madrid hope to capitalise.

A move for Hazard will become even more of a priority should Gareth Bale request a move away from the Spanish capital.

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The Wales winger is believed to be considering his future following the sacking of Benitez, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea already linked with a bid.

The Blues also have interest in Real Madrid trio Raphael Varane, Isco and James Rodriguez so the Spanish club may exploit that to open negotiations in the close season.

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