Eden Hazard transfer to Real Madrid in the balance as Chelsea star prepares to play in friendly

Eden Hazard is expected to play in Chelsea’s special friendly against New England Revolution in the USA on Wednesday night despite his dream switch to Real Madrid remaining in the balance.

Hazard was part of a strong first team squad that flew out to Boston on Monday for the ‘final whistle on hate’ fixture, which has been organised as part of the club’s campaign against anti-discrimination.

Hazard confirmed on Sunday that he met with the Chelsea hierarchy two weeks ago to tell them that he wanted to join Real Madrid.

It prompted a report in France that an agreement between the two clubs worth £87m is already in place and will be announced after Chelsea play against Arsenal in the Europa League Final on May 29th.

But Standard Sport understands that is not the case and Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia is still holding out for the asking price of £100m plus.

It is one of the reasons why Hazard chose to go public about the situation following the club’s final game of the campaign at Leicester. The 28-year-old admitted that he was ‘still waiting’ and the move going ahead ‘is not up to me’.

Chelsea took a similarly strong stance over the sale of keeper Thibaut Courtois last summer. The Belgium international eventually refused to turn up for pre-season training in order to force the £35m deal through, but it is believed Hazard is optimistic that a compromise will be reached and is not looking to resort to that.

Chelsea revealed back in March they were going to play this game in America and that a full strength side would participate, regardless of whether they reached the Europa League Final or not.

Injured players Antonio Rudiger, N’Golo Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi have been left behind in London to work on their recoveries. Out of favour duo Gary Cahill and Danny Drinkwater are also not involved.

Chelsea are taking the event and the chance to raise awareness over anti-discrimination very seriously, but it does mean Hazard is risking injury ahead of the climax to the Europa League, which is their last chance to win any silverware this term.

Coach Maurizio Sarri has already risked upsetting owner Roman Abramovich by complaining about the timing of the match and how it has put the club at a disadvantage for their preparations to face Arsenal in Azerbaijan.

But Azpilicueta added: "We will have time to do everything. We will have time to train hard, to rest. We have nearly two weeks until the final and I think it is really important to arrive in good condition.

"It is our final game of the season and hopefully we can get in good shape and lift the trophy."