Eden Hazard will refuse to sign a new Chelsea contract in a bid to force through a move to Real Madrid this summer.
The Belgium international has emerged as Zinedine Zidane’s primary transfer target and the Spanish giants are said to be increasingly confident of signing the 28-year-old.
Hazard has just over a year left on his current deal but has turned down the opportunity to sign an extension worth a club-record £300,000-a-week.
The west London side will demand around £100million for their prize asset and although Real are reluctant to meet that asking price, Hazard will attempt to force Chelsea’s hand by threatening to walk away on a free in 2020, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Chelsea have steadfastly refused to entertain interest in Hazard from any of their Premier League rivals, but would be powerless to prevent him leaving for Manchester City, who have been long-term admirers, should they keep him for another season.
Hazard enhanced his reputation with a stunning two-goal display against West Ham on Monday night and was afterwards forced to answer questions surrounding his future.
‘For now I am just focusing on Chelsea until the end of the season,’ he said.
‘I want to finish top four and Europa League, we still have a lot to do and then we will see.
‘We are in good momentum. We have won three in a row. For the mentality, it is good to keep going.
‘Top four and the Europa League is our target so we need to do well in both but we can do it.’
