BREAKING NEWS:Chelsea identify Eden Hazard replacement, But will have to pay £80m

CHELSEA have identified Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey as the man they want to replace Eden Hazard.

Chelsea finally let Hazard leave Stamford Bridge after a long drawn out move to Real Madrid was finally completed.



The Blues could pocket up to £130m from the deal, but are now light of a star player in their squad.


They believe Bailey can be the man to fill the void having tracked him and considered making a bid 12 months ago, reports the Daily Mail.

Bailey is one of the Bundesliga’s rising stars despite a drop off in performances this season.

His club though will demand £80m for his services having already seen Julian Brandt leave for Borussia Dortmund.

Bailey’s team-mate Kai Havertz is also due to leave the BayArena for Bayern Munich in a years time.

The duo's exit has put something of a premium on the winger’s head, but Chelsea are in the position to pay such a fee should their transfer ban be lifted.

Bailey played 39 times in all competitions as the German side made a late surge to qualify for the Champions League.

The Blues see the 21-year-old as, not only a replacement for Hazard, but the sort of player who would allow them to phase out Pedro and Willian.

They captured Borussia Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic back in January and will join up with his new team-mates in pre-season.

Chelsea’s business in this summer’s transfer window will depend though on the club’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over their current transfer ban.

Should that be lifted the west London outfit also have their eyes on Ajax star David Neres.

The Brazilian was one of a number of players to shine as the Dutch side reached the last four of the Champions League.

Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool are all tracking the winger with Ajax happy to sell to the highest bidder.