Price tag for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard set at Rs 1,799 crore

Real Madrid remains the favoured destination for Hazard but Chelsea will not sell its star man cheaply and knows the price tag will act as a deterrent at this stage of the window. Hazard is not pushing for a move and Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri is keen to work with him and Willian, who has missed out on a move to Barcelona. 

However, there is growing concern that the Belgian will not extend his contract at Stamford Bridge. He has two years remaining on his current deal but has stalled on signing new terms worth £300,000-a-week. 

Chelsea will also have to determine its goalkeeping situation once Real Madrid target Thibaut Courtois returns from holiday. Alarmingly, Courtois has just one year left on his contract and talks have not restarted since breaking down in May.

It would like Everton’s Jordan Pickford as his replacement but Everton have no desire to sell and will consider a new contract for its England international. Chelsea is continuing talks with Juventus for defenders Daniele Rugani and Matteo Caldara. 

It remains keen on Gonzalo Higuain but face competition from AC Milan, which like Chelsea pair Alvaro Morata and Tiemoue Bakayoko. Morata is likely to leave should Higuain arrive, which would allow for a three-way deal where-by Milan back away from the Juventus striker in order to get its hands on the Spaniard.