Eden Hazard has previously admitted that he followed the Arsenal Invincibles side of the early 2000s amid surprise reports that the Gunners are interested in making a move for his services. The Belgian winger has long been linked with a return to the Premier League since his exit from Chelsea in 2019.
He joined Spanish giants Real Madrid in a deal that could potentially be worth up to a reported £150m, but that move has not gone as expected. His former employers Chelsea, as well as newly-rich Newcastle United, have been touted as potential suitors for his services should Hazard elect to leave the Santiago Bernabeu at any point in the near future.
Now, a surprise contender for the Belgian's signature are reportedly Arsenal. According to Foot Mercato, the Gunners have held talks with Real Madrid over a potential loan deal for the winger's services this summer.
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Whether those early discussions with the Los Blancos come to anything in relation to a move remains to be seen, but Hazard himself has already made an admission over his past affection for Arsenal. Speaking with On The Front Foot Magazine back in February 2021, the Belgian praised the Gunners’ French contingent in the early 2000s.
He said: “When I was little, the team I watched the most was the French national team. For me, the players I looked up to were Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry.
“It’s difficult for me to admit because of my relationship with Chelsea, but I really liked the Arsenal team at the time. They had players like Robert Pires, [Sylvain] Wiltord, and [Patrick] Vieira, so it was mainly French players that I followed growing up.”
Hazard still has two-and-a-half years left to run on his current Real Madrid contract, but it is unlikely that he has a future in Spain under Carlo Ancelotti at the time of writing. Now 31 years of age, he has made just nine starts in all competitions for the Spanish giants so far this season - netting only one goal.
This follows just five strikes in his first two seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu as injuries and loss of form hampered his time at the club.
