Eden Hazard identified as back-up if Real Madrid’s deal for Neymar fails

Real Madrid is at the centre of big transfer speculation, both in and out-bound in the past week.

The Spanish giants have been headlining the transfer market this week ever since Cristiano Ronaldo’s speculated move to Juventus gathered pace. Besides, Real Madrid also had to issue statements denying bids for Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, due to multiple media outlets being increasingly confident of the moves.

According to MARCA, Real Madrid want to sign Neymar from Paris Saint Germain, and that Florentino Perez has long been pursuing the Brazilian star. However, the Los Blancos also realise that PSG would be less inclined to sell Neymar after just one year of his acquisition. The forward signed for PSG for a world record fee from FC Barcelona.

This problem with Neymar’s transfer has forced Real Madrid to look for other options, and MARCA now reports that the issue has been resolved.

The Spanish giants have identified Eden Hazard as ‘Plan B’ in case the Neymar deal fails to go through. Hazard has been a key player for Chelsea ever since he joined the club in 2012, and at 27, is at the perfect stage of his career. The Belgian has also put up impressive performances for the national side at the World Cup, which helped the team into the semifinals of the tournament.

“If I have a good World Cup then things will be easier,” Eden Hazard explained in an interview with L’Equipe before the tournament.

“Real Madrid interest me, everybody knows that, and if they don’t love me then they won’t talk about it. If they want to buy me then they know what they have to do,” Hazard further stated.

Real Madrid have had a history of acquiring World Cup stars, which goes back to 2010 when they signed Mesut Ozil, and James Rodriguez in 2014. With no stand-out performer in the 2018 World Cup, and Neymar’s Brazil being knocked-out in the quarterfinal, Real Madrid have shifted their focus on Eden Hazard.

Earlier, the club asked Cristiano Ronaldo to formally announce his desire to leave the club. Real Madrid stated, as reported by Marca, that the release clause will only be lowered if Ronaldo publicly admits to leaving the club.