Real Madrid are ready to make one last push for Eden Hazard before their transfer window closes.
And Chelsea are also facing a battle to keep Marcos Alonso, who is a late target for Atletico Madrid with ten days to go before the deadline for La Liga clubs.
The Blues are insisting Hazard is not for sale at any price but that may not deter the European champions, who are under pressure to make a stellar signing after selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.
Realistically, Real Madrid’s interest is part of a longer-term plan to land Hazard.
They want to prove how much they want him and see him as a future Galactico.
Hazard is into the final two years of his contract and is unlikely to agree a new one unless he feels Chelsea can get back into the Champions League under new manager Maurizio Sarri.
The Blues are pushing hard for Hazard to commit his future to them and are set to offer him £300,000-a-week in a bid to persuade him to stay.
But if the 27-year-old does not re-sign, Chelsea will almost certainly have to sell him next summer — as they did last month with keeper Thibaut Courtois, who was sold to the Bernabeu rather than be allowed to run down his contract.
Atletico are keen on Alonso — who is from the Spanish capital and began his career with cross-town rivals Madrid — as they could lose current left-back Filipe Luis, who is a target for Paris Saint-Germain.
It would be another test of the new-look transfer window in the Premier League, with English clubs trying to hang onto players while Spanish, German and French clubs are still free to make signings as they now cannot be replaced until January.
Real Madrid are also waiting in the wings to see whether they can pounce for PSG players before the end of the window should the French giants be forced to sell so they fall into line with UEFA spending rules.
eric obinna2
132
Hazard:I will not leave Chelsea this year maybe next year. the fans love me and don't want me to leave,i promise I will stay,my family are happy to be here and am still a Chelsea player.... So that's shut, he's going nowhere
starguard
105
Hazard has verbally committed to staying at Chelsea at least this year. And from what we know of Hazard, he is a stand up guy who will not waffle like Courtois. RM can try all they want but I don't see Hazard going anywhere this year.
ORUVAL2
96
In thé football world You don't say never..because only. money and interest speak. If Madrid press hard enough... Hazard and Chelsea will give up...
bemondcarter
58
Hazard is very good that's why Madrid want him, whether hazard like it or not money speak louder than words because if Madrid bet more on his head definitely he will change his mind
as_win10
52
Marcos Alonso is a super player. He is becoming one of the best left back in the Premier League. He can contribute a lot in attack. He find spaces between the defence and runs into the boxes quickly. He is such an improved player now. If Chelsea sell him, it will be a huge loss for them. If Madrid buy him, Madrid will be benefited for sure. But I don't know whether he can play in his left back position if Madrid buy him. Marcelo is always the first left back choice for Madrid. So if he comes to Madrid he will be given midfield role.