Real Madrid are preparing to test Chelsea’s resolve by plotting a late move for Eden Hazard, according to reports.
But the Blues, as they have re-iterated all summer, are not prepared to sell their star man.
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Los Blancos are desperate to fill the void following Cristiano Ronaldo’s £99million move to Juventus this summer.
They have identified the Belgian winger as the man to fill those enviable boots – and according to The Mirror they want to prove to him that he is “a future Galactico”.
But Chelsea continue to stand firm, insisting their star man is not for sale at any price.
The 27-year-old still has two years to run on his current deal at Stamford Bridge.
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SunSport reproted yesterday that The Blues are ready with a five-year contract worth around £300,000 a week for their Belgian star and want him to sign ASAP.
But he is yet to be convinced his long-term future lies at Stamford Bridge.
And that belief will only lessen if the Blues fail to return to the Champions League next season.
It remains the one major club honour which eludes him and time is ticking away.
Long-term admirers Real Madrid won the competition for the 13th time last summer.
But Chelsea will automatically qualify for next season’s Champions League if they win the Europa League.
New Blues boss Maurizio Sarri is promising to let Hazard, who has two years left on his deal, play to his strengths in another ploy to tempt him to agree a new deal.
Sarri said: “If we don’t have the ball then Eden has to work hard and do what we tell him to do.
“But if we have the ball in the last 30 metres of the pitch, he has freedom to do what he wants.”
Even if he does sign a new contract it will not necessarily prevent Hazard from leaving next year.
He is yet to start in Sarri’s first two Premier League matches this season after reaching the World Cup semi-finals with Belgium in the summer.
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