Real Madrid are reportedly open to the idea of letting Colombia international James Rodriguez go to Chelsea in return for Eden Hazard.
AS cites reports from the British Press that claim Los Blancos would go through with the operation in order to get Hazard, who has been out-of-sorts this season as the Blues’ Premier League title defence has faltered.
James has also had his problems throughout the campaign and it’s suggested both players could make use of a fresh start.
AS notes the similarities between the pair in terms of age – both being born in 1991 – and length of time on their respective contracts, which both end in 2020.
But Hazard is significantly better paid than James at €14m-a-season to James’ €7.75m, and Chelsea have said in the past they wouldn’t let Hazard go for less than €100m.
AS claims though that Chelsea wanted James after the 2014 World Cup, when he joined Madrid from Monaco, and Madrid are long-standing admirers of Hazard.
Indeed, Coach Zinedine Zidane once said he would ‘sign Hazard with his eyes closed’ and named the Belgium international as behind only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in world football.
