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Topics: Football, Eden Hazard, Real Madrid, Belgium
Marcus Chan
Eden Hazard has now become the most expensive player in Real Madrid’s history after add-ons in his contract were triggered.
Back in 2019, Belgian Hazard joined the La Liga giants on a five-year deal from Premier League side Chelsea, in a deal that could potentially rise to a club-record fee of £142 million.
Although all the clauses inserted in Hazard’s contract will not be met due to the Belgian’s struggles during his time in Madrid, The Athletic reported that the fee will still be higher than the current record transfer, Gareth Bale.
Welshman Bale left Tottenham Hotspur for Madrid in 2013 in a deal worth £86 million.
Hazard’s time with the Bernabeu club has been ruined by multiple injuries which have contributed to his struggles to find form.
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The 32-year-old hasn’t played for the reigning European champions in over two months, whilst he hasn’t played a La Liga match since September 2022.
However, despite his clear lack of game time, it is believed that Hazard has told the club during meetings that he intends to see out his contract.
Currently, the Belgium captain is the highest-paid player at Los Blancos and is fully settled in the city of Madrid.
His family are happy too, with his 10-year-old son Leo even joining the club’s academy.
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It has been reported that Hazard is keen to stay with the club despite them trying to sell him over the last couple years.
The Belgian is a popular member of the squad but some of his teammates now believe he can no longer contribute much on the pitch due to his injury problems.
Last week, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “Hazard is fine. He is training and he wants to have minutes. He can have them in the next games.”
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Up next for Madrid is a La Liga clash against Espanyol before their Champions League round of 16 second leg against Liverpool.
The reigning champions have one foot in the quarter-finals after thrashing Jurgen Klopp’s men 5-2 at Anfield in the first leg.