Chelsea are resigned to a ‘summer-long transfer battle’ to keep star attacker Eden Hazard as Real Madrid line-up a transfer, say reports.
The Daily Mirror state the Belgian ‘is understood to be learning Spanish’ and is keen to be managed by Madrid Coach Zinedine Zidane despite the Blues reported to be preparing a new extended contract for the attacker.
Chelsea "are refusing to comment publicly on claims they promised the 26-year-old to consider any offer from the Bernabeu" for him, the Mirror adds, after reports that such an agreement had been in place.
The report reaffirms Chelsea boss Antonio Conte’s wish to bring in Los Blancos forward Alvaro Morata – whom he coached at Juventus – but the Londoners are intent on keeping those negotiations separate from any move for the former Lille player.
A recent report from England also suggested Madrid were keen to sign Hazard along with his Chelsea and Belgium teammate Thibaut Courtois.