Real Madrid set to snub Hazard and focus on Isco as playmaker
- Real Madrid are looking to withdraw from signing Eden Hazard
- Los Blancos are reportedly looking to build the team around Isco
- Maurizio Sarri is looking to hand Hazard the captain's arm-band
Chelsea's Eden Hazard's flirtation with Real Madrid appears to be coming to an end with the Spanish giants preferring to give greater responsibility to playmaker Isco, AS reports.
The Belgian star man has been linked with a move to the Europeans champions after Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus this summer.
Chelsea had slapped a £200m fee on their star man’s head, to ward off interest from Madrid.
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Spanish news media outlet, AS, claim the Real Madrid hierarchy have now dampened their interest, with coach Julen Lopetegui preferring to give an increased role to playmaker Isco.
Isco has starred under his new boss when the two worked together at national team level with Spain.
On the other hand, Hazard, who moved to Chelsea from Lille in June 2012, has openly flirted with the idea of joining Real Madrid.
The 27-year-old dropped a massive hint he wanted to leave Stamford Bridge earlier in the summer.
During the World Cup he said: “After six wonderful years at Chelsea it might be time to discover something different.
“Certainly, after this World Cup, I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will have the final decision. You know my preferred destination.”
New Blues manager Maurizio Sarri is said to be ready to make Hazard captain at Chelsea in a bid to keep him at the club.
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Hazard has two years remaining on his current deal but stalled on signing new, improved terms.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that FA Cup champions Chelsea have reportedly slammed a world-record fee of about £200 million on their star player Eden Hazard.
The Belgium international, who won bronze medal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia has been heavily linked to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid this summer.
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Source: Legit.ng