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Eden Hazard to Real Madrid: 'Already a deal in place’ for star to leave Chelsea for Spain
CHELSEA boss Maurizio Sarri will already have brokered a deal with Eden Hazard which will see him join Real Madrid next summer.
That is the opinion of ESPN FC pundit and former Arsenal striker Paul Mariner.
Hazard has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for a number of years and he has revealed playing for the La Liga giants is a “dream” of his.
The Belgian’s contract at Chelsea is up at the end of next season and the Blues are reportedly confident of extending his stay.
But Mariner cannot see Hazard penning a new deal and thinks Sarri would have told him he can leave after this season.
I think that Sarri has said to him ‘look, give me your best, give me one year, and then you can get your move’
“I saw Eden Hazard playing at Southampton at the weekend, he’s absolutely dynamite, he’s playing with a smile on his face,” Mariner said.
“We haven’t seen that too much of him in recent years, especially under Conte last year.
“I think there’s already a deal in place here.
“I think that Sarri has said to him ‘look, give me your best, give me one year, and then you can get your move’.
“There’s two years left on his contract, it’s a perfect time to go. The club can cash in, get shed-fulls of money.
“A great move for him, he wants it, he’s singing the praises of Real Madrid in the press.
“I say it’s a hit because he wants to go there.
“Chelsea fans don’t want to hear it because he’s obviously head and shoulders and waist above anything they’ve got, he’s a fantastic player.
“But the player wants to move on, I think he’s going to be 28 in the summer.
“So it’s a perfect time for him to go.”
Hazard has had a scintillating start to the season, scoring seven goals in his eight Premier League appearances.
Chelsea are level on points with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the table and remain unbeaten.
Their next Premier League fixture after the international break is on October 20 when they welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge (12.30pm).