Chelsea staring at double blow as Real Madrid close in on Hazard, Courtois

Even as the Fifa World Cup 2018 was at its business end, European bigwigs were busy plotting transfer moves to add firepower to their squads ahead of the upcoming season.

The biggest transfer news of the ongoing summer window came when Juventus announced Cristiano Ronaldo signing from Real Madrid.

Speculations were rife about the Portugal superstar's exit ever since the Champions League final in May but his move to the Serie A side helped raise quite a few eyebrows.

Madrid are now racing against time to find a replacement for their former superstar.

As it turns out, the Spanish giants are closing in on Chelsea's Eden Hazard as they are sure that the Belgium attacking midfielder will be the right man to replace Ronaldo at the Bernabeu.

According to Daily Star, Italian journalist Gianluca DiMarzio has claimed that Real are not only trying to land Hazard but also his Belgium teammate and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The mega double deal could cost Real around €160m (£140m), according to the report.

Hazard has an integral member of Chelsea since joining the Blues in 2012. The 27-year-old had delayed a contract extension, saying he wanted to focus on the World Cup campaign with the Red Devils.

Chelsea, under new manager Maurizio Sarri, wouldn't want to lose Hazard but the World Cup Golden Ball runner-up seems to be looking for fresh challenges and an offer Real as Ronaldo's replacement might be too good to refuse.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez even talked up Hazard leaving Stamford Bridge and finding a new challenge in the upcoming season.

"Perhaps it's a good time for [Chelsea] and for Hazard [to split]. I would be very surprised if Chelsea didn't have big offers for him right now."

Courtois unlikely to stay at Stamford Bridge

Meanwhile, Courtois had claimed after winning the Golden Glove at the World Cup that the contract extension offered by Chelsea was no longer suitable, The Independent reports.

Courtois will be out of contract next summer and Chelsea are keen on selling him sooner than later, according to the report.