REAL MADRID
Real Madrid open the door for Eden Hazard loan in January
Real Madrid have accepted that Eden Hazard is going to find it difficult to work his way into Ancelotti's plans and are open to a loan move in January.
Real Madrid are open to allowing Eden Hazard to leave the Bernabéu in January on loan, ahead of a permanent move for the Belgium international next summer. Various Premier League clubs have been credited with an interest in the 30-year-old, including his former club Chelsea and nouveau riche Newcastle, with West Ham reportedly tabling a cheeky €21 million bid for a player who cost Madrid €100m plus add-ons when he signed in the summer of 2019.
Hazard has suffered a series of injuries and fitness issues since his move to the Bernabéu, managing only 55 games in two and a half seasons in Madrid for a return of five goals. After several comebacks and setbacks, most significantly an ankle injury inflicted by Belgium teammate Thomas Meunier in a Champions League game against PSG that left him out for several months, Ancelotti’s initial patience has waned. Hazard has not started a game since 28 September and has not made it off the bench since 6 November.
Hazard not in Ancelotti's plans
Vinícius Junior’s form and the budding renaissance of Marco Asensio has left Hazard in a predicament. As Ancelotti said: “He is ready to play but the problem is that there is a coach who prefers other players at the moment.” With a stack of wide players at his disposal – Lucas Vázquez, Gareth Bale, Rodrygo, Asensio – Hazard has been limited to just 415 minutes this season, making him Ancelotti’s 17th most-used player.
As such, Madrid are open to offers for Hazard and if one comes in that seems appropriate, it will be considered. The Belgian is not at fault for his Bernabéu career going south, but given his salary - €30m per season – and Madrid’s pursuit of other targets such as Kylian Mbappé or Erling Haaland, the feeling in the boardroom is that it may be time to cut losses.
Real Madrid hoping to engineer Hazard sale next summer
Madrid are hopeful of recovering some of the outlay paid to Chelsea for Hazard but they are also aware it will be difficult to persuade another club to take a punt on the Belgian’s fitness. If a loan offer arrives in January, Madrid will view it as a decent compromise. If Hazard can get six months of decent performances under his belt elsewhere, the chances of a permanent deal next summer will increase.
However, Hazard is reportedly not interested in leaving the Bernabéu. According to Spanish broadcaster COPE, sources close to Hazard have confirmed he is not interested in leaving the capital while he and his wife are expecting their fifth child.