Arsenal chances of Real Madrid deal rise as star admits two struggles which could facilitate move

Ciaran McCarthy
Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Luka Modric, Real Madrid, January 2022

The chances of Arsenal signing Eden Hazard have risen, as the Real Madrid man has admitted he doesn’t “talk to” Carlo Ancelotti and he wants “to play”.

Hazard was linked with a move to the Emirates in January. The Belgian was reportedly seen as an alternative for Mykhaylo Mudryk, as Chelsea snatched the winger from under the Gunners.

Instead, Leandro Trossard was bought from Brighton. Hazard’s international teammate has done well since heading to the Emirates, having contributed to six goals in 10 games.

However, Fabrizio Romano recently revealed there’s a good chance Hazard will leave Real in the summer. That comes as a result of his severely lacking playing time.

The winger has featured in just seven games this season, though he has both scored and assisted. That Ancelotti doesn’t see the player that he once was is blatant.

Hazard himself has added fuel to that fire while speaking to RTBF.

“There is respect between us but I’m not going to say that we talk to each other, because we don’t talk to each other,” he said.

“But there will always be respect. Even if tomorrow he doesn’t play me anymore, I have to respect a guy like Ancelotti. What he represents in football, what he has done through his career, there’s no problem.”

While he suggests he’d like to remain at Real, Hazard’s desire to play could and probably should see him head elsewhere.

“For me, I will still be at Real Madrid next season, but you never know. I miss it and I want to play – I want to have fun on a field. Training is good, but what makes us live are the matches,” he added.

“I hope in the depths of my heart that I can bring something and that the coach is still counting on me.”

Indeed, the realistic course of action after hardly getting a sniff this season is a move away. That could open the door for Arsenal yet again.

While they opted against the signing in January, Hazard would be cheaper in the summer. That’s on account of his contract running out in 2024 and that he’s not adding any value to Real at the moment.

If there is any part of him that’s still the old Hazard, a cheap Arsenal deal could be a smart one. Their attacking corps, particularly their wingers, are mostly young players.

Learning from one of the best wingers to ever play in the Premier League, even if he isn’t adding much on the pitch, could be good for the attackers and the club could improve as a whole because of that.

What’s more, Hazard would be offered a crack at salvaging the back end of his career, as he could add value off the bench in a league he was so potent in before.

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