According to journalist Pete O'Rourke (via GIVEMESPORT), West Ham signing Eden Hazard would be a ‘real signal of intent’ to the rest of the Premier League.
The Lowdown: Struggling in Madrid
Since joining Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2019 in a deal worth £103.5m, Hazard has not looked like the same player who tore up the Premier League in a Chelsea shirt a few years ago.
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The Belgian winger has failed to score in 13 appearances for Los Blancos this season. This follows his poor form since his arrival in the Spanish capital, where he has scored just five goals in 56 games during an injury-plagued stint at the Bernabeu.
When compared to his stats in a Chelsea shirt, where he scored 110 goals and produced 92 assists in 352 games, it is evident that Hazard is a shadow of the player he once was.
The Latest: Hazard linked with Hammers move
El Nacional previously reported that West Ham had made a €25m (£21.3m) offer for Hazard. This fee seems low at face level, but when combined with his reported £381,000 weekly wage, the finances soon add up.
O'Rourke believes that the Hammers’ prospective signing of Hazard would be a huge signal to the rest of the Premier League if it materialises.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: "West Ham, they can offer him Premier League football, and could match his wages, you can never say never in football. It would be a real signal of intent if West Ham can convince Eden Hazard to move to the London Stadium."
The Verdict: Return to London unlikely
Earning 116 caps for the Belgium national side, Hazard has not been short of praise. Back in 2018, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher compared the winger’s power to that of Diego Maradona and Pele, also claiming that he was ‘the best player in the Premier League’ at the time.
This was reinforced by former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera, who said that the Belgian is ‘the best player I have ever played against in my five years playing in the Premier League’.
With these glowing testimonies, it is easy to see why the arrival of Hazard would send a huge message to the rest of the league. Challenging for Champions League qualification, West Ham could be the ideal destination for Hazard to revive his career.
If the Hammers manage to scrape together the money, this transfer could prove to be a shrewd move for both parties. However, his staggering weekly wage could prove to be too much for the Irons, and that may be the rock on which this intriguing rumour perishes.
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