Chelsea have entered talks with Real Madrid over the possibility of Eden Hazard returning to Stamford Bridge, according to reports.
The 31-year-old, who has two-and-a-half years left to run on his Los Blancos contract, left the Blues in the summer of 2019 for the Spanish giants for a fee believed to be in excess of £100million.
However, since the Belgian made the move to the Spanish capital, things have been far from ideal. Hazard has struggled with injury problems throughout his time at the Santiago Bernabeu and has only made seven starts in La Liga this term.
According to Spanish football journalist, Ramon Alvarez, via the Express, Real Madrid and Chelsea are now in talks over a possible loan deal for Hazard.
The La Liga leaders are, of course, unable to offload Hazard until the summer transfer window but they are said to be putting plans in place to get a deal ready in advance.
The move that is being touted would see Hazard return to Stamford Bridge on a loan deal, with no option to make it permanent, and then return to Real Madrid in 2023.
Hazard is thought to be one of the club's highest earners and Real Madrid are keen to offload him so they can use the money to pursue a move for Chelsea target Erling Haaland at the end of the season.
What has Hazard said about his future?
There was mass speculation that Hazard could return to the Premier League last summer, but the former Chelsea attacker was quick to rule that out.
He said this in May 2021: "I have a three-year contract with Real Madrid, going back to England is out of the question.
"Everyone knows that my first two years were not good, so firstly I want to prove myself at Real Madrid. Certainly, I do not see myself leaving Madrid given the situation of the contract.
"I know myself and I know when I am in shape. If that is the case, I can give everything for Real next season. That is my plan."
What has Tuchel said on Hazard?
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is clearly a huge fan of the former Blues winger, with the German revealing he has the "biggest respect" for him last year.
Tuchel said: "He is a top quality player and a key player for many years at this club and this league, the hardest in the world.
"So consistent. I have the biggest respect for him. He is a big player, we have many people here who know him well. He was a key player for this club and now he plays for Real Madrid."
