Real Madrid Targets Chelsea Stars in Stunning Double Transfer Deal

Chelsea stars Eden Hazard, left, and Thibaut Courtois.
Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, London, March 1 2015. Real Madrid reportedly wants to sign both players in the summer. Clive Mason/Getty

Real Madrid wants to take Chelsea players Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois to La Liga in the summer, according to a report on Thursday.

According to The Guardian, Madrid president Florentino Perez wants a new "Galactico" or star player to add to his team in the summer.

Hazard has emerged as crucial to Chelsea's English Premier League title charge, one season after his form dipped alarmingly. The Belgian has been Chelsea's attacking fulcrum in manager Antonio Conte's first year in charge at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea sits 10 points clear of Tottenham Hotspur at the top of the division with 11 games of the season remaining.

Perhaps more worrying for Conte is the suggestion that Madrid wants a replacement for Keylor Navas, its current first-choice goalkeeper, and is considering Courtois. Hazard's fellow Belgium international spent time on loan at Madrid's cross-city rival Atletico from 2011 to 2014.

Losing two of its best players would leave Chelsea in an almost unprecedented position for a title winner, of having to rebuild immediately after triumph.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Sportswriter at Newsweek.

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go