Real Madrid superstar Eden Hazard has revealed that he held a meeting with President Florentino Perez a year before leaving Chelsea. This summer, 28-year-old Belgian international brought a seven-year stint with the Blues to an end in order to secure his dream move to the Spanish capital outfit.
Hazard's desire to seal a transfer to Madrid was no secret at all and the indications became as clear as day getting to the end of his stay with the Stamford Bridge outfit. Eventually, the Londoners had to concede defeat in their bid to convince the former Lille attacker to stay with the player leaving with two Premier League and Europa League titles as well as an FA Cup and League Cup.
Nevertheless, Hazard's £89 million move to the Bernabeu has failed to serve up the fairytale start many envisaged with the former Chelsea star scoring just once in seven competitive appearances for Zidane's side. In a documentary on Real Madrid TV, the Belgian superstar discussed when it became clear to him that a move to the La Liga outfit was imminent.
There he confessed that Los Blancos president Florentino Perez told him that his side would attempt to secure his service from Chelsea after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
"Courtois is someone I know well and in which I trust," he declared.
"He always told me it was the best club.
"When he finished the World Cup in Russia I wanted to go to Madrid, I had already made the decision.
"It was not possible and I was another year Chelsea. That made the exit easier, Chelsea understood and let me out.
"I spoke to Florentino and told me that I was being expected in Madrid.
"After I spoke with Luka Modric and felt that everyone wanted me see at Real Madrid. And it finally happened."
