West Ham have had an audacious £21m bid for Eden Hazard rejected by Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.
Hammers boss David Moyes is keen to sign the Belgian, who has failed to make an impact since joining Madrid from Chelsea in a deal worth around £130m in 2019.
The 30-year-old has struggled with injuries during his time at the Bernabeu and has managed just five goals in 55 appearances in his two-and-a-half seasons at the club.
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Spanish newspaper El Nacional claims Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has lost patience with Hazard and desperate to sell the Belgium international – preferably in the January transfer window.
However, Perez was left unimpressed by West Ham’s initial offer and is not willing to sell for less than £43m, according to the report.
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El Nacional also claims that Hazard turned down a potential opportunity to move to Newcastle on a lucrative contract.
Newcastle’s new ownership were reportedly keen to make Hazard their first major signing since their takeover of the club.
However, the Belgian did not want to move to a club currently under the threat of relegation and would prefer a return to London.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said he will not stand in Hazard’s way if he wants to leave.
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Speaking back in October, Ancelotti said: "Never in my career as a coach have I forced a player to stay when they want to leave.
"Hazard is ready, but his problem right now is that he has a coach who prefers other players, which can happen in a squad like this one."
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Meanwhile, Madrid and Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has admitted that it is a “shame it hasn't worked out” for Hazard in La Liga.
“I have known Eden for a long time and know that his dream was to play for Real Madrid. It's a shame it hasn't worked out yet as everyone would like it to,” he said.
“I can see that he has got the desire, joy and he wants to help the team. He is looking to improve.
“It's not easy to take back your best form when you haven't played for the last two and a half years.
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“He has showed in his entire career he is one of the best players in the world. He hasn't been able to show it lately, but that talent is not gone and I am sure he will get back, so we cannot kill him believing he is an average player because he is not.”
Featured Image Credit: PA ImagesTopics: Eden Hazard, Real Madrid, West Ham United, La Liga, Premier League, Football, Transfers, Florentino Perez, Chelsea