Eden Hazard is prepared to sign a new contract with Chelsea. The Belgian star is out of contract in the summer of 2020 but with Real Madrid keen to sign him, the Blues want to tie him down now, the Express reports.
The playmaker has been stalling on putting pen to paper on a new £300,000-a-week deal with Los Blancos showing interest. Hazard is a long-term target for Real boss Zinedine Zidane but the top brass at the Bernabeu are reluctant to shell over the top to take him to the Spanish capital.
The £120m Belgium international has made no secret of his admiration for Zidane and his refusal to put pen to paper on a new deal has worried Blues fans. But now the Express understands that Hazard is ready to snub Real Madrid and sign a new deal with the Premier League champions that will make him the highest paid player in the Premier League.
Antonio Conte is desperate for his star man to sign up, along with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois too. However, Hazard says he won’t make it official until Courtois does the same.
“I will answer you the same as Thibaut,” Hazard told French media, as reported by the Express.
“First, he must sign, then I will be able to continue. I do not know who will be the first to sign his new contract. It’s a secret…”
Former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop reckons Real might have cooled their interest in the Chelsea star anyway.
“I think he would be (a good fit),” Hislop told ESPN (h/t Daily Star). Real Madrid need freshening up, there’s no question about that. At the same time though, Hazard hasn’t been so great for Chelsea of late.
“That could be a concern for Zinedine Zidane as they try and rebuild their side and have them challenge Barcelona. I’m going to put this down as a hit, just because I know how good Eden Hazard can be, maybe not how good he has been.
“I think that makes sense.”
Hazard’s comments were in response to Courtois’ words on his own contract situation earlier this week and manager Conte could be in for a double treat soon. Courtois has 18 months remaining on his current deal and has also been linked with a move to the Spanish capital.
But the shot-stopper says he is close to extending his stay at Stamford Bridge and urged his Belgium compatriot Hazard to do the same.
“It has just turned the new year, so we will wait a few weeks and then sit around the table. I’m happy at Chelsea and a deal is close,” the goalkeeper said.
“Do Eden and I encourage each other to sign? Yes. He will say ‘if you sign, I will sign’ and I say the same to him!
“I think we are both happy at Chelsea, we both have a good part to play. We have been champions twice in the four seasons I have been here and can have our peak years together at Chelsea.”
Seems like both our superstars will sign their contract extensions soon! This is great news.