Shock report claims Arsenal 'in talks' to sign Real Madrid star, this would be a huge surprise

Arsenal are “in talks” to sign Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, according to a report.

The Gunners have had an exceptional start to the season and sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Eager to consolidate their position at the summit, Mikel Arteta’s side are eager to bring in some more attacking talent this January.

Arsenal are in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk about the transfer of Ukraine forward Mykhailo Mudryk, having already seen two bids worth up to £62million rejected.

However, given Shakhtar Donetsk’s £88million asking price for the 22-year-old, the table toppers have also been linked with another attacker - Chelsea legend Hazard.

Arsenal in for Hazard

MediaFoot has claimed Arsenal are interested in signing Hazard from Real Madrid this January.

The report claims that the Gunners have made contact with Los Blancos to enquire about the prospect of signing the 32-year-old.

Indeed, the north London club are said to have identified the Belgian as an alternative to Mudryk.

Hazard was once one of the best players in the world - his dribbling prowess and low centre of gravity caused problems for full-backs and opposition managers weekly. Indeed, in Europe’s top five leagues, only Lionel Messi dribbled past more players across the entire 2010s.

He was also so often decisive in big games for the Blues and Belgium. In his 352 appearances for Chelsea Hazard netted some 110 goals and provided 92 assists from the left flank.

In his 73 Real Madrid appearances since, Hazard has scored just seven times.

He has struggled for fitness and form since making an £89million move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in 2019. The retired Belgium international has made just one La Liga start this term, and two further substitute appearances.

His waning powers and age profile mean that any Arsenal move for the player would come as a significant surprise. Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar have built the current squad on burgeoning talent rather than ageing pros.