Chelsea to offer Eden Hazard to Real Madrid if it helps them sign Manchester United transfer target in shock development

Chelsea's Eden Hazard is wanted at Barcelona by Lionel Messi

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to sanction the surprise sale of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid if it helps them seal the transfer of Arsenal star and rumoured Manchester United target Mesut Ozil.

According to Don Balon, Ozil is also a target for Barcelona as a possible alternative to Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho in what looks a potentially complex transfer merry-go-round.

The report claims Ozil is a top target for Chelsea as they view him as ideal for their system, with the Arsenal playmaker looking set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

There’s no doubt the Germany international looks a tempting addition for any top club on a free, which has seen reports linking him with other big names.

The Daily Mirror have previously strongly linked Ozil with Manchester United, but recent reports from SportBild, translated by Sport Witness, named Chelsea as surprise new contenders.

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil has emerged as a shock transfer target for Chelsea
Chelsea star Eden Hazard could be replaced by Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil

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It remains to be seen how happy Blues supporters would be to see the club lose a real fan favourite like Hazard to Real Madrid and then replaced only by Ozil, who has a reputation for being inconsistent and disappearing when it matters most.

Ozil has never entirely won over Arsenal fans since joining the club back in 2013, but the apparent interest in him at the moment suggests he is viewed as a player who could improve in a better team.

And in fairness to the 29-year-old, he has often had to cope with being part of some highly dysfunctional Gunners squads during his four years at the Emirates Stadium.

Another recent report from Don Balon suggested Real Madrid are interested in Hazard and could even offer Gareth Bale to the west Londoners as part of any potential deal.