Maurizio Sarri has said Eden Hazard is free to leave Chelsea in the summer if he so wishes.
The Belgium international has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, although an official bid from the 13-time European champions has never materialised, with the Blues having been adamant in their desire to keep hold of their star asset.
Chelsea are currently facing a battle to keep hold of wantaway starlet Callum Huson-Odoi, who has handed in a transfer request following intense interest from Bayern Munich.
However, while the West London club have maintained that the 18-year-old will not be sold either in January or in the summer, Maurizio Sarri has said that it is a different story for Eden Hazard, who he suggests should leave if he wants to.
“The situation of Eden is different,” Sarri told the media ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash at Bournemouth.
“Eden is 28. If he wants to go, I think he has to go.
“Of course, I hope the opposite, I hope he wants to stay here.
“He has the potential to be the best player in Europe at the moment.”
Hazard has 18 months left on his current deal at Stamford Bridge, and has previously described a move to the Bernabeu as a dream.
