Hazard dodges Real Madrid transfer question with Belgian set to snub any new Chelsea contract

EDEN HAZARD claims he is just focusing on the final month of the season before deciding on his Chelsea future.

Real Madrid are intensifying their approach for the star winger, whose Stamford Bridge deal runs out at the end of the next campaign.

Notching two goals against West Ham on Monday reminded both the Blues and watching Real scouts why he is one of the game's hottest properties.

A fee of around £100million has been touted as the La Liga giants' opening bid, although that has been described as "too cheap" by coach Maurizio Sarri.

Speaking to ESPN ahead of Thursday's game with Slavia Prague, Hazard dodged a question on Madrid, stating: "I'm just focused on Chelsea.

"One month to play, top four, try to win the Europa League.

"For the fans I think the most important thing is when they see me on the pitch they just think that my head is with Chelsea.

"So we'll see after."

STAMFORD STAND-OFF

Chelsea may hope to improve their leverage by forcing the Belgian to see out the final year of his contract, rather than accept a sub-par offer from Madrid this summer.

However, the Telegraph reports that Hazard will happily hold out in such a scenario and refuse any contract extension to stay past June 2020.

A move to Madrid remains his preferred destination but leaving on a free contract six months before he turns 30 could change the options available to him.

Selling Hazard to a rival Premier League team is certainly not acceptable for Chelsea but they will be powerless to stop him from doing so if he runs down his contract.

In the meantime, Hazard says he remains intent on ending the season in positive fashion, with either a top-four finish or Europa League triumph returning the Blues to the Champions League.

He continued: "Two years in a row not playing Champions League is hard for the players but also for the club.

"Chelsea has to play in Champions League every year, but it's hard because we are not the only team that is trying to play Champions League.

"But that's why we are doing everything at the moment to try and stay in the top four."

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