Eden Hazard told new £300,000-a-week deal would make him Chelsea's main man 'for years to come'

Real Madrid target: Eden Hazard
AFP/Getty Images
Simon Johnson18 May 2017

Chelsea have told Eden Hazard they will make him the focal point of the team for years to come if he signs a new contract.

The hierarchy, who have also met with the agent of keeper Thibaut Courtois, are determined to agree an extension with Hazard this summer.

Hazard still has three years left on his deal but his future at the club has been put in doubt due to Real Madrid’s desire to buy him.

The La Liga giants are prepared to make the Belgium international the first £100m signing but Chelsea want to put an end to the speculation and offer fresh terms.

In a meeting with Hazard last week, they told the 26-year-old that he can be the star player at Chelsea for several seasons, with the team effectively built around him.

They also made it clear that he won’t be sold under any circumstances and will not be joining Real Madrid.

Hazard is on £200,000 a week at Stamford Bridge and while the terms of a new deal weren’t part of the discussion, it is believed Chelsea will increase his salary to £300,000 a week.

As Standard Sport revealed in March, Hazard is not looking to break ranks and push for a move to the Bernabeu.

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Hazard has been key to Chelsea winning the Premier League this term, scoring a personal best of 15 goals.

Frank Lampard, who played with Hazard between 2012-14, insists his former club can’t afford to let him go.

He said: “I don’t think you can replace him for £100m. That’s a big statement but I look around and I see Cristiano Ronaldo at a different stage in his career, while Neymar and Lionel Messi would cost a lot more than that. You know what you are getting with Eden. He is the one player they have to keep.”

Chelsea will be back in the Champions League next term, which is a huge factor in keeping Hazard anyway.

They plan to back coach Antonio Conte heavily in the transfer market so that they can challenge Europe’s elite, as well as maintain their threat on the domestic front.

The Blues have taken their first steps in securing Courtois (below) on a new long-term deal. Standard Sport revealed in February that the club hadn’t spoken to him about an extension for a year despite Real also being interested in the goalkeeper.

Courtois remains on the wish-list to replace Keylor Navas at Madrid, although Manchester United’s David de Gea is their top target.

The 25-year-old, who has kept the most clean sheets in the League this season, has just two years left on his contract. His representative has met Chelsea for informal talks to discuss the future, although no offer was made at the time.

Courtois, who is paid £100,000 a week, has said on numerous occasions that he is happy to stay at Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth are planning to step up their bid to sign Asmir Begovic and Nathan Ake for £30m. Chelsea are prepared to let Begovic go for £12m but want to keep Ake because he is a talented squad player who will also count towards their home-grown quota.

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