Real Madrid News
Real Madrid flop has no desire to leave Santiago Bernabeu this summer
Ahead of a potential squad overhaul in the coming summer, it is given that multiple existing stars in the Real Madrid team could end up leaving the club at the end of the season.
One of the players poised to depart Santiago Bernabeu is Eden Hazard. The former Chelsea superstar has found little to no success since joining the club in 2019, for a fee in excess of €100 million. With just seven goals to his name, the move has evidently not worked out well for the club.
Hazard’s current contract expires in 2024, with many expecting Real Madrid to sanction his sale in the coming summer, in order to recoup some amount of revenue.
However, according to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Hazard has no plans to leave the Bernabeu. His family is well-settled in Madrid and it appears the player himself wants to see out his contract until 2024, rather than moving elsewhere in the summer.
Hazard is well aware of his struggles at Madrid. But he does not want to contemplate an exit due to several reasons, including his family. Not to mention, one of Hazard’s sons, Leo, has recently joined the Real Madrid youth academy.
Hazard is one of the highest earners in the Real Madrid squad and he has no plans to give up his salary, knowing he may not get a better elsewhere.
The Belgian is also not in talks with any other clubs over a potential move away from the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season. Hazard, therefore, is following the route paved by Gareth Bale, Isco and even Mariano Diaz – remaining at Madrid against the club’s will.
However, there is a possibility Hazard may consider an exit. That is if the former Chelsea starlet, who retired from the Belgian national team recently, receives an offer from the United States. But that remains only a possibility for now.
In a positive update, Real Madrid defender David Alaba is set to return from his injury by making an appearance for the Austrian national team against Estonia later tonight, confirms Sergio Quirante.
Alaba has been out of action for over a month now, after picking up an injury during Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Austrian international had been making progress in training at the club but was not ready in time for the Clasico against Barcelona on March 19.
Despite the injury, Alaba travelled to join the Austrian national team during the current international break.
And, according to the report from Sergio Quirante, the Real Madrid ace has good feelings after training with his national team. Having had several sessions under his belt now, the versatile defender is all set to make his return later tonight.
Austria will face off against Estonia in their second UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers Group F encounter later tonight and Alaba is in line to get some minutes against the minnows.
What remains to be seen is whether manager Ralf Rangnick opts to start the former Bayern Munich superstar on the night or introduces him as a substitute in the latter stages of the game.
Alaba’s imminent return will be good news for Real Madrid, who have a series of important matches coming up after the international break as they look to salvage their season.
Following the loss to Barcelona earlier this month, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are now 12 points off the top of the table in La Liga and are pretty much out of the equation to retain the title. They are also training the Catalans 1-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-finals while Chelsea await in the Champions League quarter-finals.
