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Conte: Hazard's 'very happy' at Chelsea despite fresh Madrid links

Action Images via Reuters / Tony O'Brien Livepic

Antonio Conte stressed that the final decision on Eden Hazard's future at Chelsea rests with the club following fresh speculation that Real Madrid will lodge a significant bid in the summer.

The Belgian fell just short of a second PFA Player of the Year award behind teammate N'Golo Kante last week, and has been key in the Blues' charge for a second title in three seasons. His performances have alerted Los Blancos president Florentino Perez to eye a move for the 26-year-old, but Conte gets the impression that Hazard enjoys life in London.

Related - Report: Real Madrid will make summer move for Eden Hazard

"I think Eden is very happy to stay and play for this team, for this club," Conte told The Telegraph's Matt Law. "I think his family is very happy to stay here. The fans love him and I think there are a lot of positive things that bring him to stay here and to try to reach the best with this club. Don't forget, the target of this club is to try to win in every competition we play in."

Conte believes Hazard has "improved a lot" following his 2015-16 campaign, according to the Guardian's Dominic Fifield, which was characterised by indifferent performances amid injuries and managerial upheaval. His current manager said Hazard's beginning to establish himself as one of the world's greatest players. Playing as an inside-forward in an attacking triumvirate, the Lille product has hit 15 goals and crafted five assists in the Premier League this term.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

His exploits would draw an exorbitant fee if Real Madrid took Hazard to the Spanish capital, but that won't necessarily stop a club that's completed three of the six most expensive transfers in football. The Champions League holder had Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo atop the list of largest spends until Manchester United bought Paul Pogba from Juventus for around €105 million last summer.

Still, awash in the riches of Russian owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea is understood to be in a position to refuse lavish bids from Zinedine Zidane's side.

"I think that it's impossible for me to take this responsibility, not only for Eden but for every single player. In this situation it's the club who have the final decision. The club has the final word about this situation," Conte stressed. "I think it's right for it to be like this."

Hazard doesn't operate with an agent, so he would be at the forefront of negotiations should Chelsea accept an offer from Real Madrid for his services. The forward signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Blues in February 2015 that The Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel reported was worth £200,000 a week.

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