IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE?

Hazard ready to quit Chelsea as Real Madrid line up world record bid

CHELSEA’S Eden Hazard said that he wants to leave the club for Real Madrid, with the Spaniards ready to make a possible £200 million (RM1 billion) bid for him.

On the day that new manager Maurizio Sarri took over at Stamford Bridge, Hazard emerged from helping Belgium beat England 2-0 in the World Cup thirdplace match to say that he wanted no part in the future the Italian had mapped out.

Hazard, who has two years left on his contract, said: “I have spent six years with Chelsea. I played a fantastic World Cup, so it’s maybe time to change something. Chelsea will make the final decision — if they want to let me go, you know my preferred destination. After six wonderful years at Chelsea it might be time to discover something different. “It’s not my decision, so now I just want to go on holiday and see what happens.”

It is understood that Hazard will not fight to leave Chelsea and if they attempt to keep him, he may stay. But Real, the European champions, may be willing to break the world transfer record, as they look to rebuild after the £88 million departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.

Hazard’s recent form has impressed them. He was strong during Belgium’s World Cup, scoring the second goal against England. But the midfielder, who came close to joining Real in 2017, did fade during the semi-final loss to France.

Hazard’s declaration of intent came as Napoli were attacked by Manchester City for ‘unprofessional’ conduct in the £57 million sale of midfielder Jorginho to Chelsea.

City sources claim the 26-yearold has been ‘bullied’ into signing a five-year deal for Chelsea, having indicated as recently as Thursday that he wanted to play for Pep Guardiola.

It is also claimed that Napoli threatened the Italy international with having to see out the remaining two years of his contract at Stadio San Paolo if he rejected Chelsea.

City sources also say Chelsea offering an extra £8.8 million persuaded Napoli into a U-turn on their agreement.

Jorginho’s agent, Joao Santos, was not able to persuade the club to honour a £44.2 million deal they had effectively shaken hands on with City.

Chelsea reject City’s claims and could not be contacted on Saturday.

It was not an ideal way for Sarri to begin his reign, a day after the club sacked Antonio Conte.

The 59-year-old will meet his new squad tomorrow before flying to Australia with them for a pre-season tour this week.

It remains to be seen how much input he will have into transfers — something which annoyed Conte.

Sarri, who will take intensive lessons to learn English, is to bring in Gianfranco Zola as his assistant. Chelsea are also set to appoint Luca Gotti, 50, the former Italy under-17 manager, as assistant to Sarri and Zola. Dailymail