Big-spending Monaco make Belgian attacker their next target.
Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts
Big-spending Monaco are reportedly plotting an ambitious move to make Chelsea star Eden Hazard their next big-money signing of the summer.
The 22-year-old Belgian only joined Chelsea from Lille last summer in a £27million move, and would cost Monaco around £40million this year after an impressive debut season in the Premier League.
The Blues fought off competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City to sign Hazard, and will not be keen to let him go so soon, after he formed part of an impressive attacking midfield three with Juan Mata and Oscar.
The Belgium international contributed 10 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for Chelsea, and looks like a player with great potential who will only continue to improve with age.
However, with a few changes likely to be made to the team this summer as Jose Mourinho returns to the club as manager, it is a possibility that Hazard will not feature if there are tactical tweaks made by the Portuguese coach, who favours a more defensive system to the one deployed by the West London club this season under both Roberto Di Matteo and interim manager Rafael Benitez.
Hazard’s place in the team could also come under threat if Chelsea complete the signing of Bayer Leverkusen winger Andre Schurrle, who has been widely tipped for some time to be a target for the club after establishing himself as one of the best young players in the Bundesliga.
Malaga’s Isco has also been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and is another player who could occupy a similar role to Hazard in an advanced midfield role, and Monaco may feel they are able to lure him back to the French league, where he first made a name for himself as a youngster.
Claudio Ranieri’s side, backed by their wealthy Russian owner, have already surprised the football world by bringing in big names such as Radamel Falcao and Joao Moutinho, who were both wanted by a host of bigger clubs, and are keen to keep spending with the likes of Zenit St Petersburg’s Hulk also a target for the newly-promoted Ligue 1 team.
Chelsea’s Frank Lampard had also been linked with Monaco before he signed a one-year extension to his Chelsea contract, following some fine end-of-season form from the veteran midfielder.
The Blues could also receive offers for key players such as Ramires and David Luiz, who have been linked with Napoli and Real Madrid, respectively, as Mourinho is reportedly tempted to sell players to raise cash before embarking on some big spending of his own.
Whether or not Hazard is one of those to leave remains to be seen, but Monaco have shown they mean business with their transfer dealings so far this summer.