Chelsea hope Hazard signs new deal out of pity, just as Griezmann did when Atletico were hit with a transfer ban

CHELSEA are reportedly hoping Eden Hazard takes a leaf out of Antoine Griezmann’s book and signs a new deal with them out of pity. The Belgian superstar will become a free agent next year and is one of Real Madrid’s top transfer targets. Hazard, 28, is holding off committing his future to the Blues as […]

CHELSEA are reportedly hoping Eden Hazard takes a leaf out of Antoine Griezmann’s book and signs a new deal with them out of pity.

The Belgian superstar will become a free agent next year and is one of Real Madrid’s top transfer targets.

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Hazard, 28, is holding off committing his future to the Blues as speculation intensifies over a potential exit.

And his departure could end up being catastrophic for Chelsea, who are facing up to a two-window transfer ban.

But Marca claim the Blues are still trying to desperately convince the attacker to sign an extension.

They are waiting for a “kind gesture” from their “franchise player” to help them avoid the worst case scenario.

And they are hoping he will follow Griezmann’s example in 2016.

The France superstar looked set to leave Atletico Madrid for Manchester United in 2017 before instead agreeing to stay after the La Liga giants were handed a transfer ban.

Follow Griezmann’s lead

And his former agent, Eric Olhats, says the ban was the only reason he remained an Atletico player.

He told France Football: “Griezmann hasn’t felt able to leave Atletico.

“It showed the integrity of his links with the club, [who were] unable to sign players. Without that ban, he would have gone, without a doubt.”

Although Chelsea still harbour hopes of holding on to Hazard, Marca say the forward feels his “cycle in the Premier League is exhausted”.

But the West London outfit are also claimed to have informed him and a number of his team-mates they will not be allowed to leave.

Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet: “The messages we’ve got are that Chelsea can’t appeal the case and therefore want to keep all the players.

“The situation I have ended up in has been very difficult to accept.”

Meanwhile, Hazard has denied reports his Bernabeu switch is sealed.

Speaking ahead of Belgium’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Cyprus, the winger reassured Chelsea fans he has not secured his move away from London – yet.

He said: “There’s nothing in the reports. I’m only focused on the game against Cyprus. That’s all I’m thinking about.”