Eden Hazard has reportedly decided to swap Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu this summer.
After revealing that his mind is made up regarding his future, the Telegraph reports that he has chosen Real Madrid over Chelsea.
Speaking to French radio station RMC as part of a documentary that will be aired on Wednesday night, Hazard said: “I know what I am going to do. I have made a decision.”
The Belgian’s wish to join the Spanish giants is one of football’s worst kept secrets. In fact, Hazard fuels speculation with every passing week.
Here, talkSPORT.com looks back on all the times Hazard batted his eyelids at Madrid.
“You know my preferred destination” – July 2018
Speaking after Belgium’s 2-0 victory over England in the World Cup third-place play-off, Hazard told reporters: “After 6 wonderful years at Chelsea it might be time to discover something different, certainly after this World Cup.
“I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will make the final decision – if they want to let me go.
“You know my preferred destination.”
“We’ll see what happens” – August 2018
The playmaker eventually ruled out a move to Madrid in last summer’s transfer window, but he couldn’t resist another little ‘come and get me’ plea.
“I have two more years of contract and we will see what will happen,” he said.
“Leave this year? I will not leave. I’m fine here, we’ll see what happens in a year or two.”
“It is my dream since I was a kid” – October 2018
Following his incredible start to the 2018/19 campaign, Hazard admitted he was struggling to choose between Chelsea and Madrid.
The Belgian said: “Sometimes in my head, I wake up in the morning and think I want to go. Sometimes I think I want to stay. It is a hard decision. It is my future. I am 27 and I will turn 28 in January.
“That’s why I spoke after the World Cup and I said that I think it is time to change because I played a great World Cup.
“I am really in the game, I am playing good football at the moment. Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I don’t want to lie today. It is my dream since I was a kid. I was dreaming about this club. We will see.
“It is also when you have a dream and you want to make it happen. It is like I have said a lot of times: if I leave I will be happy; I know if I stay I will be happy. It is not like if I go I am happy and if I stay that I am unhappy.”
“That’s why I want to go” – October 2018
A reporter told Hazard he may have to move to Spain if he wants to win the Ballon D’Or, and the Belgian responded: “That’s why I want to go, maybe.”
Although, asked if that move might happen in January, he added: “No.”
“It will be possible in the summer” – November 2018
Hazard appeared to reassure Chelsea fans that he was staying, but again there was an element of mystery.
“For now, like I said, I’m staying at Chelsea,” Hazard said.
“I have one year left on my contract after this year. Moving this winter is impossible. I can’t leave in January because of the club and the supporters.
“It will be possible in the summer, but it’s also possible that I stay my whole career at Chelsea.”
“Chelsea talks have stopped – I’ve always loved Madrid” – December 2018
Amid reports of fresh contract talks with the club, Hazard revealed that those negotiations had collapsed.
“The new coach [Sarri] thinks football like me, so we’ll see, the family is in London, I’m also going to be 28,” he said.
“I do not want to have any regrets at the end of my it’s a decision I’m going to make, I do not know when, but I’ll take it.
“Me, you know me, I’ve always loved Real, even before [Zinedine] Zidane, we’ll see what happens.
“As I said, I’m already finishing this year with Chelsea, I still have a year of contract after this year, we’ll see.
“There was a bit of talk [about a new contract at Stamford Bridge] but then it stopped, now we’re waiting.”
“Why not?” – January 2018
When recently asked by France Football if he would like to go, he gave a typically open and honest response: “Why not?
“You know it very well. You’re asking the question, but you know what the answer will be so you don’t have to ask it.
“I’ve won everything in England, apart from the Community Shield, but that doesn’t mean I’m leaving. I’ve always said that I wanted to explore something different after England but there are also things that might make me stay.
“After the World Cup, I wanted to leave, but in the end I stayed at Chelsea and I’m playing one of the best seasons so far.”