Hazard will be Real Madrid’s first ‘galactico’ signing in six years

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For a while it appeared Real Madrid had changed their policy when it came to signing ‘Galacticos’. Ever since Gareth Bale arrived in the summer of 2013, there hasn’t been another star signing until now. There was James Rodriguez a season later but he was hardly on the same scale and then Vinicius Jr last year but he isn’t a ‘galactico’ either.

Now it feels like Florentino Perez is going back to his roots, going back to signing the most talked about players in the world. A throwback to when he signed the likes of Ronaldo, Beckham, Roberto Carlos and Zidane amongst others. Hazard will become the latest ‘galactico’ to join the club and is expected to cost north of €100m.

Part of the reason behind the change in strategy has been the growing cost of remodelling the Santiago Bernabeu. The fact they won the Champions League so often with essentially the same squad meant there was even less to demand to make wholesale changes.

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Hazard refused to confirm his next destination but all signs point to him becoming the first superstar signing at Madrid in six years. He was the best player on the pitch as he helped Chelsea win the Europa League, scoring twice and providing an assist in the 4-1 victory over Arsenal.

The Belgian will leave England having scored 110 goals, made 92 assists and with six titles under his belt. He broke the 20-goal barrier for a single season this year, hitting 21 goals and providing 17 assists.

Vinicius – 2018-19 – 45 million

T. Hernández – 2017-18 – 24 million

Morata – 2016-17 – 30 million

Kovacic – 2015-16 – 38 million

James – 2014-15 – 75 million

Bale – 2013-14 – 101 million

Modric – 2012-13 – 35 million

Coentrao – 2011-12 – 30 million

Di María – 2010-11 – 33 million

Cristiano – 2009-10 – 94 million

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