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Real Madrid make decision that will save MILLIONS - but it’s still bad news for Chelsea
REAL MADRID have decided they will NOT dip into the transfer market for a new No 9 this summer - and will instead stick with Karim Benzema.
Eden Hazard could sign new contract with Chelsea says pundit
But it’s still bad news for Chelsea as Eden Hazard remains on manager Zinedine Zidane’s radar.
Benzema has been tipped to leave Real Madrid this summer after a decade at the club.
The French striker has remained a constant at the Bernabeu over the past 10 years while other big names - Gonzalo Higuain, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata - have come and gone.
It was thought Real were ready to sell Benzema at the end of this season before making a move for a fresh face in the centre-forward role.
Robert Lewandowski and Mauro Icardi have both been linked.
But Spanish newspaper AS claim Benzema will not be going anywhere after convincing president Florentino Perez that he still has a future in the capital.
It means Real will not have to fork out millions of euros on a direct replacement, with Lewandowski and Icardi both valued at around £100m.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, that doesn’t mean Real will relinquish their interested in Eden Hazard.
Real Madrid are determined to get their man after failing to land a deal last summer - and Hazard himself has already said he has made a “decision” on his future.
Chelsea are stuck with what to do with Hazard right now.
The Belgium international’s contract expires in the summer of 2020, meaning he could agree a pre-contact with Real for a free transfer as early as next January.
Chelsea would not want to lose their star asset for nothing at the end of next season, so could see the 28-year-old for £100m this summer.
But the Blues cannot replace Hazard immediately because they are under a two-winter transfer ban imposed by FIFA.
What the London club eventually decide to do with Hazard remains to be seen - but it’s fair to say Real are the frontrunners to sign him and will move for the Belgian regardless of Benzema’s situation.
The forward now most likely to leave Real is Gareth Bale, who has been booed by fans this season and who has scored just 14 goals all campaign.
Real Madrid: Hazard signing ‘depends on Chelsea’ says pundit
The Wales international could well head back to the Premier League - with Manchester United and Tottenham perpetually linked.
But Real may struggle to find a buyer willing to match their £100m-plus valuation of the ex-Southampton man.