Antoine Griezmann to Chelsea: Blues 'to swap' Eden Hazard for Atletico Madrid midfielder if he joins Real Madrid

The Blues are thought to be ready to meet the French internationals huge buy-out clause

Chelsea target Antoine Griezmann in action for France (EPA)

Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann could be set to join Chelsea this summer in a £60m move. The switch would rely on Eden Hazard leaving the club; with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain thought to be interested in the Belgian star, The Mail on Sunday has reported.

24-year-old Griezmann has scored 19 goals this season proving instrumental in pushing Atletico up to second in the league, only three points behind leaders Barcelona. The in-demand player was thought to be unlikely to leave the Spanish club after Diego Simeone's side were handed a transfer ban by Fifa earlier this month.

However as Atletico appealed the ban, the punishment for signing underage players has been suspended. In the meantime Griezmann may be allowed to leave the club, especially if Chelsea are able to fork out the monster £60m release clause in the Frenchman’s contract. The move could come as early as this summer which would enable the 2012/13 La Liga winners to rebuild their side for the coming season.

Griezmann’s switch would be contingent on Eden Hazard leaving the Premier League champions. The 2014/15 Chelsea player of the season has been noticeably out of form since September; falling down the pecking order at the south London club.

Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be leading the chase for the player as Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks set to leave the French capital. The Swedish international’s contract expires this summer and an extension isn’t thought to be on the cards. Laurent Blanc is thought to want to replace him with 25-year-old Hazard; building his side around the attacking midfielder.

Real Madrid are also said to be tracking the player; and with their transfer status the same as local rivals Atletico, this summer may be their last chance to buy the player before their ban comes into effect. Any move for Hazard won’t be cheap as the Belgian only signed a five year contract extension last year.

As quoted by the Daily Mail, Blues manager Guus Hiddink said that he hoped that the club would be able to reject any deals if they came in for the forward. “It’s not up to me; it’s up to the club. When he gets his rhythm back, then he’s of big value to Chelsea.

“I don’t want to step on the strategy of the club but he’s a very important player, a nice player. He has this injury and that came back in the Palace game [on January 3]. That has been an unstable situation for at least two months. Hopefully he is coming back to where he was before. He needs training and game fitness and you get that by playing games.

“For the club, beautiful times can come up from him and on top of that there is a Euros coming up. Everyone who is a candidate for being a big player in the upcoming time, then the Euros, it’s a beautiful period.”

While Hiddink throws mixed messages around, it may ultimately be at the behest of Russian owner Roman Abramovich as to who comes in and out of Stamford Bridge. And whilst the oligarch may be tempted to sign French international Griezmann, Atletico have stated a clear ‘hands off’ warning this week.

Club President Enrique Cerezo hasd told Spanish media outlet RMC: “"Griezmann is a global football star. [He] has a long-term contract, and no-one has spoken to us about a possible transfer.

"He still has plenty of time with us. And Atletico will allow him to go as high as possible."

Should Chelsea offload Eden Hazard and cash in on Antoine Griezmann or has the Belgian international got more to offer the club? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below.