Real Madrid duo Casemiro and Eden Hazard reportedly turned down a sensational approach by Newcastle in the January transfer window.
Hazard, 31, has been plagued with injuries during his flop spell at Madrid and Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti is prepared to axe the former Chelsea ace.
The Belgian winger has been linked with a stunning return to the Premier League, with West Ham, Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle all linked with Hazard.
Hazard, who has also attracted interest from former club Lille, recently ‘said no’ to a proposal submitted by Newcastle after Madrid ‘accepted’ a bid for him.
According to Nacional, Newcastle were prepared to offer £83m (€100m) to secure both Casemiro and Hazard from Madrid in January.
The Spanish newspaper claims that Madrid president Florentino Perez does not consider Casemiro as ‘essential’ and would entertain offers for the Los Blancos star.
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Casemiro, who will turn 30 in February, is under contract with Madrid until 2025 and has been a linchpin figure in Los Blancos’ midfield.
The 29-year-old Brazilian midfielder has lifted two La Liga titles, four Champions League, a Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups in his nine seasons at Madrid.
Nacional reports that Newcastle considered Casemiro to be their ‘next galactic target’ and were ready to pay Madrid £41.5m (€50m), with the Magpies offering him ‘an incredible salary.’
However, Casemiro has ‘ruled out the idea’ of arriving at St James’ Park and sees his ‘destiny’ at Paris Saint-Germain.
It has been reported that Perez is ‘fed up’ with Hazard after the Madrid flop refuses to leave the La Liga club.
The Belgium international is on a staggering £416,000 per week at Madrid, but Los Blancos want to sell Hazard and free up their wage bill.
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez previously claimed that Hazard was “sad” with his situation at Madrid.
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“Hazard is medically in his best moment since he arrived at Real Madrid,” he told El Partidazo de COPE last November.
“He is sad in football terms, this is the first time that he is experiencing this situation.
“He is a player who has always led winning projects and now he doesn’t have that role, but he is a footballer of exceptional talent and that is never lost, you have to have faith in him.”
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Casemiro, Eden Hazard, Real Madrid, La Liga, Spain, Football, Newcastle United, Premier League, England
Adnan Riaz