Transfer Centre

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard emerges as target for Galatasaray?

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 17 August 2022

Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard is reportedly attracting interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray, who are optimistic about luring the 31-year-old to Istanbul.

Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard is reportedly attracting interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray.

The 31-year-old has found it difficult to make his mark at the Santiago Bernabeu since his £103m switch from Chelsea in the summer of 2019, largely due to injury.

Hazard has recorded only six goals and 10 assists in 67 appearances for Los Blancos across all competitions, including just one goal and two assists in 23 games last season.

A report last month claimed that manager Carlo Ancelotti had given the club the green light to sell the Belgium international, who has two years remaining on his contract.

According to Turkish news outlet Fotomac, Galatasaray are preparing to approach Real Madrid and discuss a deal for Hazard this summer.

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard pictured in March 2022 © Reuters

The report adds that the Spanish giants will be easily persuaded by Galatasaray to sell Hazard, although the player's salary could determine whether the deal can be finalised.

Galatasaray have already made a number of notable signings so far this summer, including the arrivals of Lucas Torreira and Dries Mertens from Arsenal and Napoli respectively.

The 23-time Turkish top-flight champions are now planning a statement signing in the form of Hazard and are hoping that Belgium international teammate Mertens can persuade him to move to Istanbul.

Hazard revealed at the backend of last season that both he and his family are happy in Madrid and he is determined to prove his worth at the club.

"The coach (Ancelotti) knows that I still have two years here. The first three years have not gone well. I want to show everyone what I can do," Hazard told Het Laatste Nieuws.

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard with the match ball, September 28, 2021 © Reuters

"I'm still in my dream, I've always dreamed of this. My life goal has been to play here. My family has always been happy here, [and] even now they are."

Should Hazard remain in the Spanish capital, Ancelotti is planning to use the Belgian as a false nine this season.

Hazard naturally plies his trade as a winger, but he came off the bench for the final half an hour in their opening La Liga fixture of the new season against Almeria on Sunday and played in a central role alongside Karim Benzema, with Los Blancos coming from behind to win 2-1 away from home.

Meanwhile, Hazard's teammate Marco Asensio has reportedly been offered to Liverpool by his agent Jorge Mendes.

The 26-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Ancelotti and he faces an uncertain future at the Bernabeu with just 12 months remaining of his contract.