Exclusive: Conte orders Abramovich to rebuff Real Madrid move for Hazard

ANTONIO CONTE has told Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich he does not want Belgian superstar Eden Hazard to be sold this summer.

Posted Friday, March 31, 2017 by Express.co.uk

According to sources at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid are planning a world-record £100m bid for Hazard and have made him their main transfer target for the summer, even planning to offer players in exchange for the 26-year-old.

Chelsea have not yet received an offer for the player, who is happy in London and at the moment has no plans to leave Stamford Bridge.

Antonio Conte has told Roman Abramovich not to sell Eden Hazard

Antonio Conte is adamant he wants Hazard to stay - and with the Chelsea board in the midst of talks over a new contract for the Italian which would put him level in the Premier League managerial pay stakes with the likes of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, they do not want to jeopardise their chances of a successful outcome.

One of the key factors in the negotiations for Conte is not wages but assurances that he will be given the funds to strengthen a side already firm favourites to win the title - and keep the players he has.

The Italian, whose side go into tomorrow's home clash with Crystal Palace 10 points clear at the top of the table with just 10 games, regards this season as only the first stage of his project, and intends to build on what he has achieved so far this term.

Hazard has returned to training after a calf problem but is not expected to be risked against Palace, with a crucial home clash against rival Manchester City looming on Wednesday.