Hazard rules out January move to Real Madrid
LONDON: Chelsea forward Eden Hazard appeared to dismiss the possibility of a January move to Real Madrid on Thursday despite casting fresh doubt over his future in recent days.
The 27-year-old was speaking at a press conference on national team duty with Belgium, broadcast on Sky Sports News.
It was put to Hazard that to win the Ballon d’or — as the world’s best player — he would have to play in Spain.
“That’s why I want to go, maybe,” said Hazard, smiling.
Asked if that move might happen in January, he added: “No.”
Hazard has been instrumental in Chelsea’s unbeaten start under Maurizio Sarri, scoring eight goals in all competitions.
The Belgian was selected the second best player at the World Cup and, after leading his country to third place in Russia, said it “might be time” for a fresh challenge, with Madrid his preferred destination.
Speaking after Chelsea’s 3-0 victory at Southampton on Sunday, he said: “Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I don’t want to lie today. It is my dream since I was a kid. I was dreaming about this club.
“We will see. I don’t want to talk about this every day. I don’t have time but we will talk about my future soon.”
Hazard, whose Chelsea contract runs until June 2020, was asked on Thursday whether he is the world’s best player on form and he answered with an unequivocal “yes.”
MILAN SEAL PAQUETA DEAL, IBRA MAY RETURN
MILAN: AC Milan have reached agreement to sign rising Brazilian star Lucas Paqueta with Swedish veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic a possibility to return to Italy, club sporting director Leonardo said on Thursday.
The Serie A giants are reported to have agreed a 35 million euro deal with Flamengo — the club Paqueta joined as a 10-year-old — in what would be the most expensive signing of a Brazilian player by an Italian club. The 21-yearold completed his medical in Rio on Wednesday, and should arrive in Milan in January.
Leonardo confirmed that the club have also “thought about” signing Ibrahimovic, who joined LA Galaxy this season and has a contract through the 2019 season with the MLS side. Ibrahimovic played for AC Milan from 2010 to 2012, winning a Serie A title with the club, before moving to Paris Saint-germain and then Manchester United.
Leonardo, a midfielder who also played for both PSG and Milan, was director of football at the Parisian club when the Swedish striker joined.