World record bid needed for PSG to sign Hazard

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has been in fine form this season so far, contributing with 12 goals and five assists for his club in the league.

Reports suggest that the former Lille player is in line for a return to the country where he made his name, in a possible world record move.

A player so key to the Blues, especially as strikers Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba are not consistently producing enough for the London side, the club will surely not except anything less than the £85m world record fee Real Madrid paid for Gareth Bale last summer.

Chelsea are currently sitting top of the league and second-favourites to win the title with odds of 6/4, with Hazard being the main reason for their success so far.

But Qatari-owned PSG are not short of money, having splashed out in recent years on the likes of Edinson Cavani (£57m), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (£18m), Lucas Moura (£35m), Thiago Silva (£37m) and most recently Yohan Cabaye (approx £20m).

Hazard, still just 23-years-old, is not even in his prime yet, so if any move materialises Chelsea will demand a substantial fee for their key player. After selling two-time club player of the season Juan Mata to Manchester United in January, Jose Mourinho will not want to lose two players in the same position.

Mourinho recently said of Hazard: “If he was worth around £32m when Chelsea bought him – and he’s two or three times better than that now – then his market value is crazy.” Therefore the Portuguese boss clearly rates his player at near the £100m mark.

PSG captain Silva has also strongly hinted that he, his club and the top players would like to see the Belgian international playing at the Parc des Princes. He said: “It is normal that a president discusses transfers with the players. When there is a new name in the press, the president discusses it with us.

“Sometimes I speak directly with Zlatan. It’s normal to ask ourselves if a player can make us stronger. I would welcome Hazard with open arms, like we did all recruits.”

Hazard, however, has stated that although he is flattered with the interest, he is more than happy to stay at Stamford Bridge: “It has never been a question to leave Chelsea for me,” he told the French press. “I am very happy at the club, where I still have a lot to do.