Real Madrid ready opening bid for Chelsea playmaker

Real Madrid have reportedly decided to make an opening bid worth £70m to convince Chelsea into the sale of Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard.

The Madrid giants have been heavily linked with the Belgium international over the past year and their interest has intensified with the attacker reluctant on signing a new Blues contract beyond next term.

According to The Sun, Los Blancos are likely to make an opening bid of around £70m for the 28-year-old despite the Blues wanting at least £100m for the player.

It is added that the Bernabeu outfit are expecting to fail with their initial approach but want it to be viewed as a sign of their intent ahead of the forthcoming transfer window.

Zinedine Zidane was recently reappointed at the helm by Real Madrid following an unsuccessful period under Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari for most of the season.

The French tactician is said to have a £300m kitty as his disposal for the summer with the club intent on significantly strengthening the squad after experiencing a tough domestic and European campaign.