Real Madrid are willing to use Gareth Bale as a makeweight to sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea, according to a report.

Los Blancos are said to have prioritised landing Hazard before next season after missing out on a number of targets during the summer.

Chelsea are reluctant to say goodbye to the Belgian forward, who has hit the ground running with eight goals and three assists already this season, but Madrid will supposedly pull out all the stops in a bid to land their top target.

A report in The Sun claims that, as well as offering the Blues the chance to take Bale, the European champions will also hand over a cash sum.

Hazard recently admitted that he 'dreams' of playing for Madrid, but Chelsea have not ruled out a new contract being signed at Stamford Bridge.

Bale, meanwhile, is understood to be happy in the Spanish capital and is not entertaining the thought of a Premier League return next summer.