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Chelsea star Eden Hazard makes fresh transfer claim as Real Madrid prepare summer move
EDEN HAZARD has admitted he wanted to leave Chelsea in the summer, but says he could now decide to stay long-term.
Eden Hazard is being 'wasted' by Maurizio Sarri says pundit
Hazard has been constantly linked with Real Madrid and has never hidden his dreams of one day making the move to Spain.
In the summer he suggested the time was right to move on but eventually stayed at Chelsea.
The Blues are ready to pay him £300,000 a week to extend his contract but Hazard has been stalling on a deal and is entering the final 18 months.
And, speaking today to France Football, he admitted he wanted to go in the summer, but has suggested he is yet to make his mind up over his future.
“I have won everything in England, apart from the Community Shield, but that doesn’t mean that I’m leaving,” he said.
“I have always said that I wanted to explore something different after England. But there are also things that might make me stay.
“After the World Cup, I wanted to leave, but in the end I stayed at Chelsea and I’m playing one of best seasons so far.
“So I don’t think that I need a different challenge. But that doesn’t mean that I will become better.”
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri recently called on Hazard to end the speculation and make a decision.
But Sarri has continued to play him in a central role with problems up top for Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud.
The signing of Gonzalo Higuain will allow him to revert to his preferred position on the left and should offer him a focal point to play off through the middle.
Eden Hazard: Sarri discusses comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo
Higuain is expected in London tomorrow ahead of a loan move until the end of the season.
However Real Madrid are expected to firm up their interest in Hazard as the season winds down.
Hazard would be a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who left last season, but could also come in at a time when Isco and Gareth Bale are uncertain of their futures.