Hazard had said after Chelsea’s Europa League win over against Arsenal that “I think it is a goodbye, but in football you never know.”

His expectation about a transfer was a matter then of well-founded speculatjion ahead of direct negotiations concluded this week between Madrid’s Jose Angel Sanchez and Chelsea’s Marina Granovskaia.

The 28-year-old Belgian has spent seven successful years at Stamford Bridge, winning the Premier League twice, one FA Cup and two Europa League titles.

Manager Maurizio Sarri, who is also expected to head off to join Juventus, has said he knew about Hazard’s desire to leave for some time.

Hazard had one year left on his contract and ruled out joining another English club in the buildup to the Europa League final, saying: “No chance, no chance. I am a Blue. It means a lot to me. I cannot play for another club in this country.”

Madrid are rebuilding their squad after a disappointing campaign in which they finished third in La Liga, 19 points behind Barcelona. They also lost their Champions League crown after three years, being beaten by Ajax in the second round.

The reconstruction has already seen the signing of Serb striker Luka Jovic from Europa League semi-finalists Eintracht Frankfurt.

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