Hazard rejects HUGE transfer in favour of staying in Europe

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 25 Jul 2023 16:04 BST
• 4 min read

Eden Hazard has reportedly rejected the chance to join Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami in favour of finding a new club in Europe.

The former Chelsea and Lille star is now a free agent after Real Madrid terminated his contract one year early at the start of July and he is currently on the hunt for a new club.

He made just 76 appearances in four years at the Santiago Bernabeu during an injury-hit stint in Spain, but does not want to retire and is open to offers from Europe. However, he has so far struggled to find any interested parties, with Belgium outfit Anderlecht ruling themselves out of a move, according to reports.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

Furthermore, Voetbalkrant have reported that Hazard has been approached by Inter Miami regarding a possible move this summer, but the 32-year-old has turned down the chance to join the MLS side due to his desire to extend his stay in Europe.

The David Beckham-led team have already signed Messi, Busquets and Alba this summer, with the former two making their debuts against Cruz Azul in a Leagues Cup fixture. Messi came off the bench at half-time and scored a 90th minute match-winning free-kick to mark the occasion.

Fellow former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez has also been heavily linked with a move to Inter Miami and he is even willing to pay out the rest of his Gremio contract with his own money to join Messi and co at the MLS club, according to reports.

MORE: Lionel Messi at Inter Miami: Goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2023

What next for Hazard?

The former Belgium international was a superstar at Chelsea, but netted just seven goals in four years at Real Madrid, with Vinicius Jr sailing past him in the pecking order during his time at Los Blancos.

Given he is a free agent, the forward may find a suitor, although it’s likely he may have to suffer a significant wage decrease from his Real salary.