Report: West Ham and Everton lead race for £416k-a-week forward; club drop asking price from £43m

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Everton and West Ham are leading the race to sign Eden Hazard, with Real Madrid telling the Belgian that he can leave the Bernabeu during the January transfer window, according to a report from the Sunday Mirror (5/12; page 70).

Hazard has endured a torrid time since moving to the Spanish capital. He has made 54 appearances in all competitions, scoring just five goals and contributing nine assists.

The Sunday Mirror reports that Los Blancos paid an initial £88 million to sign Hazard. The fee could rise to £150 million. Meanwhile, he earns £416,000-a-week.

And with that, Madrid are hoping to let him go in January. Hazard, on the other hand, is reluctant to join a new club midway through the campaign.

The Sunday Mirror (5/12; page 70) reports that Madrid’s asking price has dropped from £43 million to £25.5 million. But they would also accept £21 million from a club that takes him on loan in January with a commitment to sign him permanently in the summer.

West Ham more likely to sign Hazard than Everton, but Hammers will have reservations

It says a lot about how far about West Ham have come that a potential move for Hazard appears to be such a gamble for David Moyes’s side.

Of course, the Irons know how inspired loan deals for written off players can be. Their move for Jesse Lingard almost 12 months ago proved to be a masterstroke.

And it would be no surprise if West Ham did make further additions in January as they battle for a top four spot.

Everton meanwhile, reportedly need to raise funds before they spend any money next month. So meeting Madrid’s demands for Hazard is going to be a huge ask.

Should either sign Hazard and get the best out of him, the 30-year-old would be an amazing signing. But his time with Real leaves the biggest question mark over his future.