Real Madrid Transfers: 3 players to try and use in swap deals this summer

LW Eden Hazard

It is not easy to see many teams lining up for Eden Hazard, who makes over 20 million euros per year and is a serious injury risk. With Chelsea barred from transfers as a result of the sanctions against Roman Abramovich, the most likely suitor for the fallen superstar has now been taken off the table.

Could a different reunion to Lille be possible? Would Real Madrid be able to send Hazard there and get a top forward like Jonathan David or a midfielder like Renato Sanches in return? Lille are struggling this season, but the 2020/21 Ligue 1 champions have a few players Los Blancos could conceivably be interested in. It is just hard to see Lille taking on Hazard’s contract, even though they technically could with the right package.

That’s the thing here with Hazard. A swap might be the only way out. Real Madrid would have to package Hazard and cash to get another player, as that cash would be crucial to helping the receiving team covering the Belgian winger’s wages.

What we do know is that Hazard can’t stay in Madrid for much longer. He has been the epitome of a team player despite the personal frustrations he is almost assuredly feeling. Hazard has the motivation to still be a top player, but he is never going to get those chances with Vinicius Jr. locking down the left wing and Kylian Mbappe set to join him.

An exit is best for both parties, and trading Hazard may be the only way to facilitate that mutually beneficial departure.