Inside story of Eden Hazard's £130 million transfer to Real Madrid

Hazard penned a heartfelt goodbye to Chelsea on social media [AFP]

With his name etched amongst the greatest players to pull on the Chelsea shirt, Eden Hazard will be unveiled as a Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabeu this Thursday.

It was confirmed on Friday night that the Belgian has agreed on a five-year contract, subject to a medical, in a deal which could surpass £130 million.

Hazard spent seven years at Chelsea after joining from Lille in 2012, he went on to score 110 goals in 352 games and bowed out with a brace in the Blues' Europa League final victory over Arsenal.

There was no doubting his desire to play for Real Madrid, something which he previously described as a childhood dream, but how did the Spanish giants successfully capture Chelsea's magician?

According to MARCA, Madrid began their strategic approach back in 2017 with the head of international football, Juni Calafat and right-hand man, Jose Angel Sanchez leading the negotiations.

The latter devised a plan involving three years worth of conversations which MARCA described as 'informal, legal but with intention,' while Zinedine Zidane played his part - himself a huge admirer of Hazard's talents since the Lille days.

Zidane and Hazard appear to be a match made through their mutual admiration [Courtesy]

The Frenchman felt little need to interfere, his thoughts about Hazard had been made quite clear and it became apparent the feelings were mutual.

Calafat is believed to have made visits to London, always careful to keep negotiations above board, but hoping to gradually tempt Hazard with the allure of what Madrid could offer.

These visits by the Madrid hierarchy to West London have done the trick. It is said that Hazard met club legend, Roberto Carlos, a few years ago where whispers of his desire to achieve his boyhood dreams gathered momentum.

Real could have moved for Hazard before, but their patient approach has been rewarded. They waited until the penultimate year of his contract, capitalising on the Belgian's urge to seek new challenges, making their move and getting their man.

These transfer market tactics appear to reflect a new kind of business, whereby clubs are looking at long-term as well as short term solutions.

This is certainly not the only method of buying players but has proven hugely effective. Madrid are rebuilding having fallen from their perch of dominance, will Hazard be the man to fire them back to the top?