Is Real Madrid's Eden Hazard likely to be sold in January?

Eden Hazard has not been able to live up to the expectations that were set when he swapped Chelsea for Real Madrid and, unfortunately for him, the large amount of credit he began with is running dry. Both that of the fans, but also that of the club.

Hazard: remains in Real Madrid shop window

Those in the Madrid hierarchy are less protective of the player than they once were, having spent recent years defending him throughout the injuries that have plagued his time in the Spanish capital. Ahead of this season he was already believed to be getting displayed in the shop window, although there were no formal offers. Just a selection of clubs enquiring about his situation as they pondered a move. If nothing changes in this respect over the coming weeks, the expectation is that July 2022 will see him very much pushed back into the market.

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A departure in January has been practically ruled out. The main reason for this is family. In the coming weeks his fifth child will be born and he wants to have it in Madrid, a city that he loves despite the fact that, in terms of his career, things have not gone so well for him. Neither he nor his family are contemplating a change of location at this stage of the pregnancy. Add to this the views of the player himself, who remains convinced that he has the ability to turn the situation around and who will wait until the end of the campaign to make a decision.

The potential clubs for the winger are unclear. Only one has publicly confirmed that they want him, current Ligue 1 champions Lille and the club where the Belgian exploded at the age of 20.

"Hazard back to Lille? It's not impossible. I'll go to Spain if I have to. It may seem impossible,” Olivier Letang, president of the French club, confirmed announced speaking to L'Équipe.

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“Obviously Hazard is an incredible player with a lot of quality. Right now, he is a Real Madrid player and has a contract with that club.”

There has, however, also been talk of a return to the Premier League, where his reputation, much like Gareth Bale, continues to hold merit long after the great performances have gone. Reports that he could form part of the most expensive relegation escape attempt under the new ownership of Newcastle United have emerged. Then there is Juventus, who last summer considered the possibility of bringing him in on loan, and still have eyes on him.