Premier League sides on ‘red alert’ as Real Madrid ‘lose patience’ over Hazard

Suraj Radia

7 Nov 2022 16:29 GMT
3 min read

What the hell has happened to €146m flop Hazard? — © ProShots

Real Madrid will look to sell Eden Hazard in January after finally running out of patience with the form and fitness of the Belgian, with the Premier League said to be his most likely destination.

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Hazard has played just 98 minutes in La Liga this season and has continued to struggle with injuries since arriving from Chelsea in 2019.

Reports in Spain have said that Real ‘no longer trust’ the 31-year-old, with El Nacional stating that the club have ‘grown tired’ of waiting for Hazard to return to form.

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Carlo Ancelotti is reported to have been ‘stubborn’ in keeping hold Hazard this summer, believing he could still recover and become part of the ‘golden trident’ up top with Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema.

However, despite arguably his best display in a Madrid shirt against Celtic in September, Hazard failed to impress in his follow-up performances and the club have lost faith in the winger.

Hazard has fallen further down the pecking order at Real, with contract rebel Marcos Asensio and fringe striker Mariano now often being preferred to him.

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What next for Hazard?

Hazard still has just over 18 months remaining on his contract and is believed to have accepted his fate, having previously insisted he would stay and fight to redeem himself in Madrid.

The player is said to have already told teammate Thibaut Courtois of his intention to leave in January, with the hope that he will have a fruitful World Cup and attract the interest of a high-level club who can offer him a good salary.

Real are desperate to get Hazard’s wages off the books and are looking to recoup some of the €115 million they paid for Hazard, with the goal to close a transfer with a mandatory purchase option.

El Nacional claim that Hazard’s aim is to return to the Premier League, with Newcastle and Aston Villa reported to be willing to pay up to €20m for the player.