Eden Hazard's Chelsea future remains in the air with the Belgian's contract at Stamford Bridge having just 18 months left to run.
Now Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has declared that Hazard is free to leave if he wants - but the Italian hopes he chooses to stay put.
The Belgium star continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid, having declared in October that a switch to the Bernabeu was his dream.
Chelsea chiefs are keen to stop that from happening however, and want to renew their star man's new contract.
Hazard, 28, has a deal at Stamford Bridge until 2020 and risk losing him for nothing.
Negotiations over a new deal with the player's representatives have been ongoing for over a year, but it is still unknown whether Hazard in fact wants to remain.
If no new deal is agreed before the summer, then Chelsea will need to decide whether to cash in.
And Sarri, speaking ahead of Wednesday's Premier League clash at Bournemouth, said: "Eden is 28. If he wants to go, I think he has to go.
"Of course, I hope the opposite, I hope he wants to stay here.
"He has the potential to be the best player in Europe at the moment."
Hazard has scored 10 goals and laid on 10 more for teammates in the Premier League this season, with Chelsea occasionally appearing over-reliant on their leading man.
He has often appeared in a 'false nine' role in attack, despite preferring to play from the left, where he now will hope to feature more regularly following the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain.
"Sometimes he’s happy with something less. It’s my job to improve him and put him in a position to do his best," added Sarri.
"Sometimes I have to say something in the press-room on that. It’s normal. It’s my job. But I was really very happy with the last performance [against Tottenham]."
Nesaiknruy_Legend
237
See I'm all for Hazard staying but if he is gonna spread toxicity, I don't care if its even Messi but if it's bad for the club they have to go. And this whole saga is a mess right now. He is causing panic amongst the players and staff. Obviously I think he will leave in good terms but the way he's prolonging it is becoming toxic and turning fans anxious. Needs to straight up hand in a transfer request so the club can at least consider some alternatives if he wants to leave. I don't see the benefit of it but if he wants to go let him go, he's been a good servant to the club but a player shouldn't have the club at ransom if they don't even want to be here fully. With Odoi you can understand all he wants is game time and he will stay. with Hazard he just wants to go, so let him. No point binding someone to a contract who doesn't want to be here. Chelsea FC is bigger than any player. We always overcome problems and replace players that leave us....
rucckor
54
some fans are ingrate. everyone has a dream at the start of there career so this guy have done enough let him fulfill his dream. career without UEFA Cup is meaningless. in 10years time Chelsea can't dream of CL final talk of winning CL cup with those Average and inconsistent player like William, Alonso, jorginho, morata.... and now higuan and people want Hazard to stay. do you people think Cro7 can become great if man United fan acted the way we are acting for stopping Hazard to move forward. come to think of it if Hazard is anyone brother we you advise him to stay? so please mate let's appreciate this guy by letting him fulfill is dream. thanks