London: Chelsea will refuse any Manchester City bid for Eden Hazard — even if the Premier League leaders offer to break the world-record fee of pounds 200 million.
It emerged over the weekend that City, having missed out on Alexis Sanchez, were interested in Hazard and are ready to rival a summer bid from Real Madrid if the Belgian does not extend his contract.
But while Chelsea may ultimately be powerless to stop Hazard joining Real if the Spaniards lodge a huge offer, they will not allow him to join English rivals for any amount of money. City are yet to make a bid.
Chelsea still hope to convince Hazard to sign a new contract worth more than pounds 300,000 a week, but they know he has always been interested in playing for Real.
Hazard wants to weigh up his options, but it seems Chelsea’s stance will effectively leave him with the choice of staying put or waiting for Real to make a bid. Real have held a long-standing interest in Hazard and are expected to overhaul their squad in the summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo could leave the Bernabeu and Hazard is one of the players who has been touted as a potential replacement. But a Real move for Hazard may well depend on whether Zinedine Zidane keeps his job as manager. The pair share an affection for each other.
The managerial situation at Chelsea will also play a role in influencing where Hazard starts next season. Head coach Antonio Conte is expected to leave, with Luis Enrique the favourite to take over.
Meanwhile, Charly Musonda, Chelsea’s 21-year-old Belgian midfielder, has agreed to join Celtic on an 18-month loan.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “He has wonderful ability and is very dynamic. He’ll bring creativity to our side.”
