Hazard and Courtois set to discuss Chelsea futures

Eden Hazard is due to return to training with Chelsea today as speculation persists that the Belgian could be on his way to Real Madrid.

The 27-year-old asked Maurizio Sarri for the extra time off following his World Cup exertions with Belgium, who he helped to a third-place finish at the finals in Russia.

Hazard’s team-mate, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, could also be targeted by Real and Chelsea boss Sarri is waiting to hear from him.

Agent Christophe Henrotay has publicly pleaded with Chelsea to allow Courtois to leave for Madrid, but Sarri said after Sunday’s Community Shield that he will speak to the player face-to-face to see if he wants to quit Stamford Bridge.

English clubs only have until 5pm on Thursday to add to their squads, but could still lose players after that with the deadline in the big European leagues still set at August 31.

Another player still being linked with a Chelsea exit is Willian, who has attracted interest from Manchester United and Barcelona.

Sarri insisted last week he was “very confident” the Brazilian will stay.