Real Madrid once again ready to step up their attempts to sign Chelsea star Eden Hazard as newly appointed manager Zinedine Zidane has long been an admirer of him.
The 42-year-old Galactico has been appointed as new boss at the Bernabeu on Monday after president Florentino Perez unexpectedly decided to bring Rafael Benitez’s seven-month spell to an end in the mid-season.
Real Madrid have always been huge admirers of the Belgian star and were heavily interested to sign him when he joined the Blues from Lille for around £32m in 2012.
Hazard, 24, has always referred Zidane as his biggest idol in football and also admitted his desires of playing for Real Madrid earlier in his career.
Zidane, who requested Real Madrid to sign Hazard from Lille, on several occasions, has praised the Belgian star.
Interestingly, the France and Real Madrid legend voiced his support towards Hazard just two months ago the Chelsea star was severely criticised for his poor start to the Premier League campaign and apparently refused to rule out the rumours suggesting Real will try to lure him to La Liga in near future.
Zidane, who was at that time coaching Real Madrid’s junior team Castilla, said in an interview: “I have no doubts he’ll be back. After Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Hazard is my favourite player. It is spectacular to see him play.
“Do I see him going to Real Madrid? I love the player, that’s all I will say.”
Chelsea however, agreed a new five-year lucrative deal worth £200,000 per week with Eden Hazard only 10 months ago in order to secure his long-term future and tried to neutralize the threat Real Madrid was posing consistently.
But Hazard, who was awarded Player of the Year by the PFA and FWA last season, has so far struggled for form and fitness this term.
He has surprisingly failed to score a single goal for the defending Premier League champions this season and his relationship with recently sacked Jose Mourinho came under scrutiny after repeated altercations.
Despite his ongoing problems, it is understood Chelsea will not want to let go their precious asset who Jose Mourinho valued at ‘£100m for each leg’ less than a year ago.
But with Chelsea not in a position to qualify for next season’s Champions League, Real Madrid are hoping to capitalise on this aspect to lure the Belgian.
A move for Hazard will also become even more of a priority if Gareth Bale appears with a transfer request to move away from the Spanish capital.
The Wales winger is said to be considering his future at Real after the sacking of Benitez, with
Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea all are highly linked with him.
However, Chelsea also have interest in Real Madrid trio Raphael Varane, Isco and James Rodriguez so the Spanish giants may exploit that to start negotiating in the summer, if not possible in January.