Real Madrid set to snub Chelsea star- Decision has ramifications for Manchester United

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on April 25, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on April 25, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Real Madrid will pass on signing Eden Hazard

Chelsea fans can rest easily now that Real Madrid have opted against chasing Eden Hazard this summer. Ironically, Los Blancos’ decision to pass on the Blues star will also have significant ramifications on Manchester United’s transfer plans.

Reports from Spain claim that Florentino Perez has opted against mounting a summer assault to sign the Belgian star. Instead, you can safely assume Hazard will stay at Stamford Bridge for at least one more season. Antonio Conte will surely celebrate that decision.

In sharp contrast, Jose Mourinho may very well curse Real Madrid’s choice. Not only will it keep Hazard firmly entrenched at one of his Premier League rivals, it will also cost him one of his top summer targets. Part of Perez’s decision not to chase Hazard, is the recent play of James Rodriguez.

In what seems like an annual occurrence for the Colombian star, he’s playing his best football just as the season reaches its conclusion. As such, the annual rumours connecting him with a summer move away from Spain are starting to die down as well. Now it seems as if James will also remain with his current club.

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That, of course, means Mourinho won’t be able to add him to his revamped attack at Old Trafford. While United are blessed with a number of wide attackers, they lack a number ten to build around for the future. The addition of James would have emphatically solved that problem.

The good news for United is that they’ll have plenty of time to move on to other targets. It’s far better for Mourinho and company to learn this news about James now, than to see the transfer saga drag on until late in the summer transfer window. As it stands, United can turn their attention and resources towards other targets immediately.

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The big winner in this scenario is Chelsea. Real Madrid ending their interest in Hazard allows the Blues to solely focus on adding new talent for their run at a Champions League title next season. Expect the Blues to be big spenders this summer.