Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid misfit Eden Hazard in the January transfer window.
The Belgian international, 31, has failed to live up to the lofty expectations of the Real Madrid faithful since his switch from Chelsea in 2019. His time at the Spanish capital has been blighted by injuries and fitness problems, limiting him to just 72 appearances for the club so far. As a result, the player thinks the winter transfer window could be the right time for him to leave Los Blancos.
According to the Catalan outlet El Nacional, Newcastle United have shown the most interest among English clubs in signing Eden Hazard from Real Madrid. Aston Villa also are keen on the player, with Real Madrid having lost patience with the 31-year-old. The report adds that any deal would include a loan with an obligation to buy—Hazard is rated at around £17m.
Eden Hazard has shown no signs of improvement this term and Real want to get rid of him in the New Year. In fact, they have told the Belgian playmaker that it would be better for him to find a new club amidst links with Newcastle United.
Eden Hazard to Newcastle—Will it be the right move?
From scrapping relegation to transforming into genuine top-four contenders, it has been a massive transformation for Newcastle United under Eddie Howe. With a 4-1 rout of Southampton at the weekend, they leapfrogged Tottenham into third in the table. The Geordies have the joint-best defensive record in the division with Arsenal, which just hates conceding goals, having shipped just 11 goals in 14 games.
With a Champions League spot well within their sights this term, Eddie Howe should plan to boost his squad when the transfer window reopens in January. If their performances are anything to go by, the club’s Saudi owners must surely back Howe in the next window to continue the squad rebuild. That being said, however, Newcastle must stay away from Real Madrid flop Eden Hazard.
Eden Hazard has barely played for Real this season, managing six appearances across all competitions to date. Recurrent injuries and fitness problems have not allowed the Belgian to build any sort of momentum in the famous White shirt.
The 31-year-old did roll back the years with arguably his best performance in Real colours in a 4-1 win over Celtic at Parkhead this September. Since then, however, he has failed to start games for Real, with Carlo Ancelotti deputising young Rodrygo Goes in the injury absence of striker Karim Benzema in recent fixtures.
With that in mind, Newcastle’s interest in Hazard doesn’t strike the right chords for multiple reasons.
Firstly, Hazard’s age could prove to be problematic as he turns 32 in January, and the playmaker is not someone who is on the upward curve of his career. Secondly, injuries over the best part of the last three years in Spain has not allowed the Belgian star to reproduce the magical performances from his Chelsea days, and a return to the fast and physical atmosphere of the Premier League might see him struggle.
Last but not the least, Hazard is on big fat wages at Real Madrid and Newcastle cannot afford to disturb their wage bill for a player whose peak years are behind him. Plus, his stock has dipped massively over the years so much so that for the ex-Chelsea man it is close to zero at this moment in time.
Taking into consideration all the aforementioned factors, it would be in the best of interests for Newcastle to avoid signing Eden Hazard.