Chelsea is on track to receive a bonus of around £5 million as part of Eden Hazard’s transfer to Real Madrid. Despite the fact that Hazard retired from football in October of last year, the former Belgium winger’s transfer deal included various performance-related add-ons that Madrid is obligated to pay. One of these add-ons was activated when Carlo Ancelotti’s team secured a spot in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund next month at Wembley.
It is worth noting that although Hazard agreed to terminate his contract with Chelsea last summer and officially announced his retirement at the age of 32, the club-to-club aspect of his contract remains in effect. This means that Real Madrid still owes Chelsea a sum of money based on the terms of the initial transfer deal. Despite Chelsea’s assurances that they are not worried about adhering to the Premier League’s financial regulations, their significant spending since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over the club two years ago has left them with limited financial flexibility this summer.
The windfall from Hazard’s transfer will undoubtedly come as a welcome financial boost for Chelsea as they look to strengthen their squad once again. With over a billion pounds spent on transfers since the change in ownership, Chelsea has had to be strategic in their financial planning. The additional funds from Hazard’s transfer will provide some much-needed breathing room for the club as they navigate the current economic climate in football.
On the other hand, Real Madrid may find themselves reevaluating the value of their deal for Hazard. Despite his high-profile transfer from Chelsea and the expectations that came with it, Hazard’s performance during his time in Spain was underwhelming. With only seven goals scored in 76 appearances across all competitions, questions may arise about whether the hefty price tag for the player was justified.
The financial impact of Eden Hazard’s transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid goes beyond the initial fees agreed upon in the deal. Chelsea stands to benefit from an unexpected bonus, which will aid them in their ongoing squad investment plans. Real Madrid, on the other hand, may need to reassess the value they received in exchange for the significant investment in Hazard. As the football landscape continues to evolve, clubs must carefully consider the financial implications of their transfer dealings.