Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Eden Hazard will be staying at the club beyond the end of this summer's transfer window.
The Belgium international has again found it difficult to make his mark for Los Blancos during the 2021-22 campaign, having suffered with a number of injury problems.
Hazard has only scored once and provided two assists in 22 appearances for Real Madrid this term, while he has been on the sidelines since March, having undergone surgery to remove an osteosynthesis plate in his right fibula.
The 31-year-old is back in first-team training, though, and is expected to feature for the La Liga champions before the end of the campaign.
Hazard only has little over two years left to run on his contract at Bernabeu, and there have been suggestions that he could be on the move in the upcoming market, with a number of clubs keeping a close eye on the developments surrounding the former Lille youngster.
However, Ancelotti, speaking ahead of Sunday's La Liga contest with Cadiz, has confirmed that the Belgian will remain at the club this summer.
"His plan is quite clear: he is staying and he is doing so with a lot of motivation because he has had a tough time in these last years. He wants to show his quality," Ancelotti told reporters.
Meanwhile, when asked whether Hazard would have the opportunity to secure regular minutes next term, the Italian insisted that "everyone can have their chances".
"I think so. There are a lot of games, there is tiredness, there will be rotations even if this season there haven't been as many. Everyone can have their chances," the Los Blancos boss added.
"A starting place at a big club is difficult for everyone, not just the players who play less. I continue to be of the opinion that the quantity of minutes is not as important as the quality. This year we have the clear example of Rodrygo, who hasn't played many minutes but has played quality minutes and has made the difference."
Hazard moved to Real Madrid in July 2019 off the back of a hugely successful spell at Chelsea, where he scored 110 goals and registered 92 assists in 352 appearances in all competitions.
In total, the attacker has represented Los Blancos on 65 occasions, contributing six goals and 10 assists in the process, and he could end the campaign with two trophies, as the club are looking to add the Champions League title to their league success, which was secured at the end of April.
Hazard is allegedly reluctant to switch clubs in a World Cup year and remains confident that he can carve out a successful career at Real Madrid despite his struggles thus far.
Los Blancos bounced back from their Madrid derby loss to Atletico Madrid last weekend by putting six unanswered goals past Levante on Thursday, relegating the Valencia-based outfit in the process.
Ancelotti's team will now play their final two league matches of the campaign against Cadiz and Real Betis before taking on Liverpool in the Champions League final at the end of May. body check tags ::
