Chelsea are set to land a huge cash windfall if Real Madrid overcome Liverpool in the Champions League final - and it's all thanks to Eden Hazard.
The Blues have endured a difficult few months both on and off the pitch, but the news of a financial bonus will come as quite the boost. The current European champions were unable to defend their Champions League crown as a stunning Real Madrid comeback halted those hopes, while Thomas Tuchel 's men have managed just one win in their last four Premier League outings.
That's the least of the club's worries though. Strict sanctions imposed by the UK Government on Roman Abramovich has left Chelsea crippled and scrambling to rush through the sale of a new owner. The chance of a cash windfall will provide a much-needed good-news story.
However, hopes of landing some extra funds are all dependent on whether Real Madrid can claim a record-extending 14th European crown by beating Liverpool in the Champions League final next month. Should Los Blancos lift Europe's greatest honour, the Blues are set to for a mega payday courtesy of former star Hazard.
Chelsea sold the Belgian playmaker to the Spanish giants back in 2019 for an initial £88.5million. However, the Blues craftily included numerous add-ons within the deal which means the transfer fee could rise to a mammoth £130m.
According to The Sun, should Hazard help Real Madrid to the Champions league this season, Chelsea would stand to earn another significant chunk of cash. It wouldn't be the first extra windfall from the deal either.
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After the side from the Spanish capital won the La Liga title back in 2020, and subsequently secured qualification for the Champions League, the Blues are understood to have pocketed another £20m from the deal. All of this while Hazard has seen his career nosedive since completing a dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 31-year-old last played on February 19 and has recently undergone ankle surgery as his Madrid spell continues to be ravaged by health concerns. Hazard has scarcely played his part in Los Blancos' journey to Paris this season, making a mere three outings in the Champions League, which amass to a combined total of just 83 minutes.
Despite his limited number of appearances, the attacking midfielder would still stand to earn a winners' medal should his side go all the way. However, due to Hazard's ongoing injury issues, it remains to be seen whether the former Blue will feature against the Reds in next month's showpiece.
Real Madrid find themselves on the cusp of further European glory following yet another sensational turnaround, this time against Manchester City. Having already claimed remarkable comeback triumphs over Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the two rounds previous, Carlo Ancelotti 's side battled back from the brink to set up a date with Liverpool in the French capital.
With City having edged a seven-goal Etihad epic last week, Riyad Mahrez's 73rd-minute strike in the Santiago Bernabeu looked to have all but secured their passage to Paris. However, Real Madrid upheld their reputation for never knowing when they are beat.
Two stunning stoppage-time goals from substitute Rodrygo dramatically sent the game to extra-time before Karim Benzema clinched the comeback from the penalty spot. Come May 28, Real Madrid will be hoping to party once again and, should they do so, they will invariably be joined in their celebrations by Chelsea.
