Insigne to Replace Hazard?
As we enter the latter stages of the 2018/19 Premier League season, transfer speculation is beginning to mount. With no World Cup or European Championship, the top European players will be enjoying a break from international competition and clubs will find deals easier to complete transfers without playing commitments.
One name who has been strongly linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge this summer is Eden Hazard.
Hazard to Leave
The Chelsea forward has been enjoying another good season with the Blues and prior to the meeting with Cardiff City in the Premier League had 13 goals and 11 assists to his name in 31 matches. He has yet to really feature in the Europa League this season but that could change come the latter stages of the competition.
However, this could be the last time Chelsea fans will see Hazard in the blue of Chelsea as speculation surrounding a move to Real Madrid continues to grow. It’s not the first time the Belgian international has been linked with the Spanish giants and Hazard is just 1/3 with Betfair to join any Spanish club in the summer transfer window.
If Hazard does make the move to Spain, Chelsea will be left with a gaping hole in their attack and Maurizio Sarri may return to his homeland, Italy, to find a replacement.
Insigne on the Radar
Napoli are set to finish second again behind Juventus in Serie A this season. Despite his best efforts, Lorenzo Insigne has not been able to lead them to the title and it could be time for the Italian international to move on.
Insigne is younger than Hazard by just under 6 months and has been playing at a very high level for some time. He has 9 goals and 6 assists in Serie A this season having played 23 games and his statistics look very impressive, coming in third for the number of shots on target in the league this season.
The Napoli forward found the back of the net 3 times in the Champions League in this campaign, including the winning goal against Liverpool and could yet meet Chelsea in the final of the Europa League this season. The teams would avoid each other should they both reach the semi-final.
Having worked extensively with Insigne during his time at Napoli, Sarri knows exactly what Insigne can bring to the party and the Italian is 6/1 with BetVictor to join Chelsea this summer.
Other Clubs Interested
Chelsea could face some competition from other Premier League clubs including Liverpool, who are 4/1 and Manchester United, who are 8/1 to sign Insigne in the summer transfer window. However, with the potential departure of Hazard, Chelsea will have the funds and a place in the starting XI to tempt Insigne.