With mounting speculation over the future of Gareth Bale, Zinedine Zidane could make a move for Eden Hazard if the Welsman leaves Real Madrid in the summer.
Real’s interest in Hazard cooled after some lacklustre displays in the Europe and the prohibitive €100million price tag demanded by Chelsea. However, it’s understood Zidane remains keen on the Belgian and could be given carte blanche to rebuild this summer after being quiet in two previous transfer windows.
Ronaldo is one of the influential people at the Bernabeu demanding the squad is strengthened and with Zidane losing patience with Bale, there could be scope for a deal.
The Welsh international was again overlooked for a place in the starting eleven for Real’s home game against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday increasing speculation that Bale could be leaving this summer.
Bale’s relationship with Zidane as been on the wane since he was left out of the team to face Paris Saint-Germain in the first-leg of the Champions League last-16 tie in February. According to AS Espana, Bale was substituted in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Juventus after responding with a grin to Ronaldo’s request for more effort when the team was 2-0 down.
Bale didn’t travel to the following weekend game at Malaga when Zidane rested four players who featured against Juventus and the alarm bells sounded louder when Zidane’s full-strength lineup against Bilbao revealed Bale was on the bench. The 28-year-old was only given 20 minutes and was the first player to run down the tunnel at the end of the disappointing display.
Bale has been dismissive of a move when he has a contract until 2022 but the situation this season may cause a change of heart. With the form of attacking midfielders Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and Isco, Real’s transfer priorities this summer will be to replace striker Karim Benzema and goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
However, if Bale were to accept an offer from Manchester United, who are thought to be interested, then the door might open for Hazard.
