Eden Hazard transfer news: Chelsea star informed club ‘weeks ago’ of his decision over Real Madrid move
The Blues' late climb into the top four is unlikely to change his mind with Real Madrid ready to pay in the region of £100m for him
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Eden Hazard says he has given Chelsea a decision on his future and will reveal his plans after the Europa League final.
In the biggest hint yet that he will leave Stamford Bridge this summer, the Belgian revealed he informed the club of his intentions "a couple of weeks ago" and admitted their late climb into the top four is unlikely to change his mind.
The Real Madrid target blew kisses to travelling Chelsea fans after Sunday’s goalless draw at Leicester with manager Maurizio Sarri insisting the club will respect his wishes.
The 28-year-old, who has a year left on his contract, spoke to reporters after his second-half substitute appearance at the King Power Stadium.
Asked whether Chelsea’s top-four finish could affect his future, Hazard said: “No. I don’t think so. I have made my decision, that’s it.”
Hazard said he had told the club: “A couple of weeks ago.”
He added: “We have a final to play and then I will see. When I am on the pitch I just try to do the best.
“I am not thinking about this and this, my situation or the club’s situation. I just try to win games.”
And Hazard admitted he had been keen to resolve his future earlier this season: “I wanted that but that’s not happened.
“I’m still waiting like you are waiting and like the fans are waiting.”
Sarri said: “Eden tried to do his best for seven seasons at Chelsea. He did very well, he has become one of the best two or three players in the world, but I think also that we have to respect him and his decision.
“I hope of course, like every fan of Chelsea, that he will remain with us. But at the moment I don't know.”
Sarri also admitted he remains unsure about his own Chelsea future after a mixed first season that could still end with Europa League glory.
Asked whether he would be in charge next season, Sarri said: “I think but I am not sure. I don't know. I can say only that the club asked me to get into the Champions League, and we reached the target – the Champions League.
“I love English football. I love the Premier League, the level is really the best in the world I think, the atmosphere in the stadiums is wonderful. I like very much to stay here.”
Sarri appeared certain for the sack at several points this season but a solid end to the campaign has seen his side finish third in the table and reach the Europa League final, in which they will face Arsenal in Baku on May 29.
“The season was really very difficult for us,” he said.
“But I think at the end we are happy because we were in trouble three months ago, we were able to react very well, at the end we are in the third position and at the end we reached the target of the club, the Champions League, we played a final against Man City in the League Cup, and before the final we played against Liverpool and Tottenham, the two finalists of the Champions League.
“Now we have to play a very important match, the final in the Europa League. So at the moment the season is very good, but the season can become wonderful.
“But it was really very difficult, here it is very competitive, every match is really very difficult."
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