Four reasons why Hazard won’t join AC Milan
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 30 Mar 2022 17:07 BST
- 4 min read
Real Madrid are desperate to offload Eden Hazard this summer – and the latest reports in the Spanish media claim that AC Milan could be the answer to their prayers.
AS reports that Milan directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara will sit down with Real Madrid chiefs in the coming weeks to discuss the transfer market.
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The main topic on the agenda will be the future of Brahim Diaz. The Madrid-owned attacking midfielder has been on loan at San Siro for the last two years and is due to spend next season there as well.
Milan have an option to buy him permanently for €22 million – although Madrid also have a later €25m buyback clause. The Rossoneri would like to lower this price down and this will be the primary subject of discussion.
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But during the talks, AS also claim that Maldini will enquire about the possibility of signing Hazard.
Hazard was widely regarded as one of the world’s best players when he signed for Real Madrid from Chelsea for €100m in the summer of 2019.
However, his two and a half seasons in the Spanish capital have been nothing short of a disaster as he has been plagued by injury problems and poor form.
The 31-year-old has broken down on 15 separate occasions with injuries since joining, missing over 60 games due to physical problems.
In the 65 games he has played for Madrid, Hazard has managed only six goals and eight assists.
This season things have got even worse for the Belgian, as he has started only nine games in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists.
This dreadful form and fitness is one of four reasons why it is highly unlikely we will see Hazard joining Milan this summer.
The second reason is Hazard’s age. Milan have a clear project built around young and up-and-coming players who they can develop.
Very occasionally, Milan have deviated from this philosophy with the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the free transfer signing of Olivier Giroud. But these are exceptions necessitated by the lack of available top-class strikers.
There is not a shortage of young wingers available.
The third reason is connected to the second and revolves around Hazard’s salary. Milan have cut costs massively over the last couple of years, having tallied up massive debts under their previous Chinese owners.
The Rossoneri’s wage ceiling meant that they refused to offer Franck Kessie a salary higher than €6m per year during contract renegotiations this season. Kessie has subsequently agreed to join Barcelona.
Hazard earns €26m a year at Madrid. Even if Madrid were to pay 75% of these wages, Milan still wouldn’t agree to fork out €6.5m a year for an ageing, declining, injury-prone 31-year-old. They also are unlikely to want to pay any transfer fee, and their primary objective this summer is a centre back (Sven Botman of Lille) and a centre midfielder (Renato Sanches of Lille).
And that brings us nicely to the fourth and final reason; Milan don’t need Hazard. In Rafael Leao, they already possess one of the most exciting young left wingers in world football. Hazard is not pushing Leao out of the team, nor will he be his backup.
There is a slot open potentially on the right wing of the 4-2-3-1 but this is not a role that Hazard played at his best during his prime, let alone now.
So all things considered, don’t bet on Hazard joining Milan this summer.
