Chelsea will be forced to sell Eden Hazard this summer for a heavily reduced price, according to reports.
Real Madrid look set to benefit from the scenario and finally land the sought-after winger.
French outlet Le10 Sport claim Hazard has already made up his mind to quit Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
After seven seasons in the Premier League, the 28-year-old feels the time is right for a new challenge.
Hazard has made no secret of his admiration for Los Blancos and looks set to finally realise his Bernabeu dream.
Chelsea have done their utmost to convince their talisman to sign a new contract but to no avail.
And rather than risk losing him for free in 18 months time they will cash in by selling him to Real Madrid.
To rub salt in the wounds, the report claims that Blues will be forced to massively reduce their asking price.
The west Londoners have been demanding offers in the region of £150m to even open negotiations for Hazard.
But come the end of the current season, the asking price will drop to ‘well below 100 million euros’.
Real Madrid have failed to adequately replace Cristiano Ronaldo who was sold to Juventus last summer.
President Florentino Perez promised to invest in young talent last summer after complaining of the ‘dizzying’ prices in the transfer market.
But he admires Hazard and sees him as a potential superstar for Santiago Solari or his successor to build a team around.
While there is no formal agreement in place, Real believe they can already count on the Belgian’s signature in the summer.
The report adds that Hazard has demanded a salary which Chelsea are simply unable to afford, thus effectively ending his time at the club.
Chelsea’s new recruit Gonzalo Higuain may not be ready to play in tomorrow’s clash with London rivals Arsenal.
The striker is set to travel to London later today for a medical once Juventus confirm a loan deal is in place.