HAZARD’S DREAM MOVE IN DOUBT

Midfielder fears Chelsea will force him to stay one more season due to transfer ban

EDEN Hazard ‘fears Chelsea’s transfer ban will scupper his £100 million (RM539 million) dream move to Real Madrid’.

The London club were handed a two window suspension by Fifa which prohibits them from signing any players until the summer of 2020.

Though Chelsea plan to appeal the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Belgian star Hazard fears there will be a no-sale policy at Stamford Bridge this summer.

And, according to The Sun,

Chelsea are even considering keeping Hazard for the final year of his contract and allowing him to leave on a free transfer next year.

Hazard, 28, has been linked with a move to Real for several months, having made no secret of his admiration for last season’s European champions.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane sees him as a centrepiece of his plans to overhaul a squad that underachieved both domestically and in the Champions League this season.

But the transfer ban and

Chelsea’s qualification for next season’s Champions League means they will be exceedingly reluctant to part with such an influential player, even for the windfall on offer.

With striker Gonzalo Higuain returning to Juventus following his loan spell, Chelsea also don’t want to be light in attack as they pursue silverware next season.

They have the chance to win the Europa League when they play London rivals Arsenal in Baku on May 29.

Speaking about his future after Chelsea’s final match of the season, Hazard said: “I have made my decision but it is not just about me. I told the club a couple of weeks ago.

“But it is not just about me. We have a (Europa League) final to play and then I will see.”

When asked if he had wanted his future resolved earlier, the Belgian international said: “I wanted that but that’s not happened. I’m still waiting like you are waiting and like the fans are waiting.”

Hazard scored 19 goals in 51 appearances and finished the season as the Premier League’s assist king by setting up 15 goals for his Chelsea teammates.

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri said he hoped Hazard would remain but would respect his decision.

“I hope he will stay,” Sarri said. “I think Eden has played here in Chelsea for seven seasons, trying in every match to do his best. Now it’s time to respect his decision.”