Real Madrid News
Real Madrid star wants to remain at Bernabeu despite Saudi Arabian approach
Real Madrid have their task cut out this summer as they look to not only sign new players but also get rid of unwanted stars.
One of them is Eden Hazard. The former Chelsea superstar still has a contract until 2024, but his performances at Santiago Bernabeu have been far from perfect. He has lost his prominence in the team and the club must sanction his sale in the coming summer.
According to Foot Mercato, Hazard has been approached by Al Hilal recently. The Saudi Arabian giants want to sign the ageing star as part of their plans to reinforce the team with some of the star players across Europe.
Hazard could be a perfect option for Al Hilal as the Belgian could be available on a cut-price deal this summer. His pedigree in European football could also be handy as Al Hilal look to compete with rivals Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional Football League.
However, it appears Hazard is not interested in moving to the Middle East just yet. He remains committed to fulfilling his contract at Real Madrid, which does not expire until the end of next season.
Hazard was approached similarly by MLS outfits, but they received a similar response. The player is simply not interested in leaving Bernabeu in the coming summer and wants to remain a part of the first-team, despite no apparent chance of making a breakthrough.
The former LOSC Lille starlet has been ostracized from the first-team by Carlo Ancelotti this season. It is only going to get worse next term, with Real Madrid expected to bring in a few new faces in the attacking department.
The Spanish giants, therefore, must convince the Belgian to take up the offers from the Saudi Arabian or MLS clubs, if he truly wants to revive his career.
Real Madrid have officially announced the first departure of the 2022/23 season as Marco Asensio leaves the club on a free transfer. The Spaniard was part of the Madrid setup for eight years, and leaves with three Champions Leagues and La Ligas to his name.
With Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Eden Hazard in the team, Asensio was the only winger in the team who preferred to play on the right rather than on the left. His left-footedness was also crucial for this.
Madrid will now have to assess the market for replacements, even though they will be handed one themselves in the summer in the form of Brahim Diaz. The Spaniard finishes his loan spell at AC Milan in the summer, and will return to Madrid.
Madrid will have to make a final call on his future, but as of now, are ready to discuss a new long-term deal for and with Diaz, as per a report published by Fabrizio Romano. The extension will be valid until 2027.
Diaz, now 23, initially joined Real Madrid from Manchester City in 2019, completing a €18 million move in the search of game-time. Six appearances in six months later, though, he moved to AC Milan on loan, and has been there since.
However, getting him to stay at Madrid will be difficult, as the player evidently wants to continue at Milan for the foreseeable future. He even suggested his desire to continue in a recent interview.
“I’m happy here at Milan. I feel very good at this club, then I don’t know what is going to happen. I kissed the badge because that’s what I felt at that moment,” he said.
They want him to replace Asensio at the Santiago Bernabeu, but will not force him to stay if he wants to leave.
