Real Madrid News
Real Madrid flop wanted by MLS outfit, but player wants to fulfil his contract
Eden Hazard has had a terrible time at Real Madrid. Since arriving at the club in 2019 in a deal worth around €120 million, the Belgian winger has managed only 76 appearances and has not crossed the single-digit mark when it comes to his goals and assists tally.
Constant injuries, fitness issues, and poor form have characterized his time at the Santiago Bernabeu. And given that he is the highest-earning member of the team, Los Blancos are keen on offloading him at the end of the current season.
And, as per a report from MARCA, Hazard is generating interest from the MLS where CF Montreal are looking to sign him up this summer.
The MLS outfit’s owner, Joey Saputo, is looking to add more star power to his squad and has identified Hazard as a possible reinforcement for the upcoming transfer window.
However, Hazard has not responded positively to the interest shown by CF Montreal as he wishes to stay at Real Madrid and see out his contract, which expires in 2024.
In an interview in November last year, the 32-year-old had claimed that he would leave the club if he was told to do so. But, now, he has changed that stance and has his sights set on fulfilling the remainder of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid, for their part, are hopeful that they can convince Hazard to leave so that they can free up the €30 million salary space he occupies and bring in a new forward like Moussa Diaby.
But, as things stand, the former Belgium captain has shown little interest in leaving even though he has suitors in the MLS as well as Saudi Arabia. Whether the situation changes in the coming weeks remains to be seen.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
