After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid are in hot pursuit of a new world class attacker.
Eden Hazard certainly fits that mould. A potential switch from Chelsea was, until now, merely a rumble, however a controversial interview suggests links between the Belgian and Real Madrid are stronger than initially thought.
His comments to HLN after Belgium beat England in the World Cup third place playoff were:
"‘After six wonderful years at Chelsea it might be time to discover something different. Chelsea will make the final decision – if they want me to go. You know my preferred destination.’"
Could he replace Ronaldo?
Real Madrid recently announced the sale of Ronaldo, who played in the Spanish capital for nine seasons, to Juventus.
And filling the Ronaldo-sized void in a lineup that has long been spearheaded by the Portuguese will be difficult.
Los Blancos denied claims they had placed a world-record bid to entice Neymar to Madrid. He might have been an option, however ties to Barcelona and a steady standing at PSG perhaps make that move less realistic.
World Cup star Kylian Mbappe, a prospect of immense talent, is another who has the quality to become Real Madrid’s third prong of a fearsome attacking triumvirate.
His performances for Monaco, PSG and France in his short, but illustrious, career indicate he is ready to make the next step. But a club as prestigious as Real Madrid might crave more experience.
That leaves Eden Hazard. A proven talisman, the tricky winger is certainly capable of producing in a Real Madrid shirt and his post-match interview more than underlines his desire for a fresh challenge.
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A new test could be good for him, too. Chelsea are under new management, as are Real Madrid, however a switch to Spain elevates him to European juggernaut status.
Reaching the top
Often the world’s best find themselves at either Real Madrid or Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the most recent examples, but it has been a common theme.
Hazard has shown he is up there with the prime. At Chelsea he has unleashed that, and was a fundamental part of their title win in 2016/17.
But Real Madrid, seeking vengeance for a Barcelona-dominated domestic campaign last term, can heighten their chances of revenge with Hazard in their ranks.
He is a player that would benefit from the spotlight of the world, intensified by Real Madrid’s esteemed reputation in the Champions League.
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It is a tricky decision for Eden Hazard, however the recent revelations sway towards him considering a move away from west London.