Eden Hazard is unhappy at Real Madrid but is willing to snub a reported transfer to Arsenal this summer, as the Belgian star intends to see out the remaining two years of his contract.
That’s according to Marca, who report Los Blancos do not include Hazard in their plans for the future and want to sell the 31-year-old. But the winger is refusing to consider leaving the Santiago Bernabeu at present, just as he did in the last summer sales and again in January.
Hazard’s sole focus is on seeing out the rest of his contract, worth €15m-a-season (£241k-a/w) net. Even though the lack of minutes Carlo Ancelotti has afforded him so far this term displeases the former Chelsea sensation. He has played 22 times, but has started just nine.
Playing just 877 minutes across all competitions, with a mere 686 in La Liga over 17 games, is frustrating Hazard. The 116-cap dynamo has even installed a home gym for the first time in his career in an attempt to improve his fitness, given his previous struggles in the area.
It is yet to return the rewards Hazard hopes with no appearances over Real Madrid’s last four La Liga fixtures. Yet his priority is to remain at the Bernabeu, as the forward is happy and settled in the city. Additionally, no club has yet presented a formal bid for his services.
Eden Hazard unhappy at Real Madrid but willing to snub Arsenal move to stay put
Despite his frustrations, Hazard continues to offer a positive presence in the Real Madrid dressing room. And despite his lack of minutes, clubs are reportedly interested in a deal.
One being Arsenal, who Defensa Central report are preparing to open negotiations and are confident of signing Hazard from Real Madrid in the summer transfer market. The Gunners hope his relationship with Martin Odegaard helps in any bid, having served as his mentor.
Mikel Arteta could face paying around €40m (£33.5m) for the forward who left Chelsea for an initial £89m, per AS. The sum represents the remaining figure Los Blancos owe through amortization from their 2019 deal to sign the winger Jurgen Klopp hailed while in England.
“I know exactly how good he is,” Liverpool boss Klopp said, via talkSPORT. “Eden Hazard is a special player, obviously, and he enjoys these one-on-one situations or one versus two or three situations, he enjoys it.”
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