Hazard has made Chelsea transfer plan clear as EPL rivals plot ambitious bid

Eden Hazard has made his thoughts clear on a Premier League return with the winger set for a Chelsea reunion. The 31-year-old has been thinly linked with a return to Stamford Bridge for some time now as he struggles for first-team minutes at Real Madrid.

According to El Nacional in November, former owner Roman Abramovich was keen believer that the Belgium international could rekindle his status as one of the best players in the world if he were to return to Stamford Bridge. The report stated that the Blues were not willing to pay more than £34million for Hazard and a move failed to materialise.

Since the consortium led by Todd Boehly has taken the reins from the Russian billionaire, the Belgian hasn't been linked with a move back to Chelsea. But, Hazard has been linked with a Premier League return.

Newly-appointed Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is considering whether to sign the former Blues talisman in the January transfer window, claim Spanish news outlet Defensa Central. It's said that 'all routes lead back to England' for the Belgian as he looks to reignite his career.

The report states that Hazard is set to make a decision over his future after the World Cup where he will captain his country in Qatar. And, he's made his feelings known on a potential return to the Premier League.

Almost immediately after leaving Chelsea, Hazard revealed that he wanted to return to west London one day. Speaking to a supporter, the Belgian said: "When I finish here [at Madrid], I'll come back. I do my job here and then I come back."

Then, in the summer of 2021, Hazard was quizzed on whether a return to Stamford Bridge is on the cards. In May, he said: "I still have a three-year contract with Real Madrid, so going back to England is out of the question. Everyone knows that my first two years were not good, so first I want to prove myself at Real Madrid. I will do everything to do that.

"I certainly don't see myself leaving Madrid, given the contract situation. I know myself and I know when I'm in shape. If that's the case, I can give it my all for Real next season. That's my plan."

In April, his brother - and former Chelsea youngster - Kylian hinted that a Premier League return won't happen until Eden re-establishes himself as one of Europe's best. Hazard has featured just three times for Los Blancos in La Liga this season, with minutes incredibly hard to come by.

Speaking to RTBF, Hazard's brother said: "He's not going to let Real go until he's proven he's the strongest there. He's proven himself at every club he's been to, and for me, he doesn't want to leave.

"I don't think he's going to leave. If the president wants him to leave, if he knows he has no chance to play, then I don't think that he will stay. But I can assure you of one thing: he will do everything to prove that he is the best player at Real."

With that being said, that leaves just two options for Hazard. Cut your losses on a return to English soil or hold out at the Santiago Bernabeu and hope that his fortunes change.