Eden Hazard is due to return to training with Chelsea on Monday as speculation persists that the Belgian could be on his way to Real Madrid this summer.

The 27-year-old asked new Blues boss Maurizio Sarri for the extra time off following his World Cup exertions with Belgium, who he helped to a third-place finish at the finals in Russia.

Hazard has been linked with a move to Spain, with his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring in the summer of 2020.

Hazard’s team-mate, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, could also be targeted by Real Madrid and Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is waiting to hear from him on Monday.

Agent Christophe Henrotay has publicly pleaded with Chelsea to allow Courtois to leave for Madrid this summer, but Sarri said after Sunday’s Community Shield that he wants to speak to the player before deciding if he should remain in his plans.

English clubs only have until 5pm (8pm UAE time) on Thursday to add to their squads, but could still lose players after that with the deadline in the big European leagues still set at August 31.