Eden Hazard has revealed that he spoke with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez a year before he secured a move to the Bernabeu from Chelsea.
Chelsea had already prepared themselves to lose Hazard this past summer, with Real agreeing an initial fee worth £89million which could rise to £150m with add-ons.
It brought an end to his seven-year stint at Stamford Bridge, where he helped lead the club to two Premier League titles, two Europa League trophies as well as an FA Cup and League Cup.
The Belgium international had always made clear Real were the only club he would be interested in leaving Chelsea for.
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He indicated on numerous occasions that he would eventually seal a move to the Spanish capital.
And the 28-year-old has revealed why he was so confident about a move to the La Liga giants.
Hazard appeared in a documentary on Real Madrid TV, where he discussed when it first became clear a move to the Bernabeu was a strong possibility.
And the Belgium international revealed it was after the 2018 World Cup when he was told by Florentino Perez that they would be trying to sign him.
Eden Hazard knew he was going to sign for Real Madrid in 2018 (Image: GETTY)
Eden Hazard had already spoken with Florentino Perez prior to his summer move (Image: GETTY)
"Courtois is someone I know well and in which I trust," he said.
"He always told me it was the best club.
"When he finished the World Cup in Russia I wanted to go to Madrid, I had already made the decision.
"It was not possible and I was another year Chelsea.
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