Eden Hazard has revealed he spoke with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez a whole year before he secured a move to the club from Chelsea.
The Blues had already prepared themselves to lose their talisman this past summer, having agreed an initial fee worth £89million which could rise to £150m with add-ons with the 13-time European champions.
The Belgian helped lead the club to two Premier League titles, two Europa League trophies as well as an FA Cup and League Cup in his seven-year stint in west London.
And towards the end of his spell at Stamford Bridge, he made many remarks which suggested he was confident he would seal his dream move to the La Liga giants.
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Hazard appeared in a documentary on Real Madrid TV, where he discussed when it first became clear a move to the Bernabeu was a strong possibility.
The Belgium captain, speaking on a documentary on Real Madrid TV, revealed he was told by Florentino Perez that they would try to sign him after the 2018 World Cup.
“Courtois is someone I know well and in which I trust,” he said.
“He always told me it was the best club.
“When he finished the World Cup in Russia I wanted to go to Madrid, I had already made the decision.
“It was not possible and I was another year Chelsea.
That made the exit easier, Chelsea understood and let me out.
“I spoke to Florentino and told me that I expected in Madrid.
“After I spoke with Luka Modric and felt that everyone wanted me see at Real Madrid. And finally fulfilled.”