Rangers can forget shock Eden Hazard swoop as ex-Real Madrid ace hints at retirement
Given the countless rumours doing the rounds during the summer transfer window, both in terms of incoming and outgoing activity, it is easy to question whether certain Rangers links ever actually happened.
A case in point being a move for former Chelsea and Real Madrid star Eden Hazard, who is a free agent after leaving the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of last season.
AS reported on August 29 that Hazard had received offers from numerous clubs around the world – “even in Scotland”, in the words of the Spanish outlet.
It did not take long for many to put two and two together, with reports spreading that Celtic and Rangers were both interested in the Belgian forward.
Whether Rangers were – or are – indeed interested is unknown. But either way, it looks as though Hazard is going to – as many predicted – call time on his career very soon.
In a snippet from the upcoming “Believe” documentary in which Hazard features, the 32-year-old says, as quoted by AS [7 September]: “Little by little it’s time to enjoy life with my family and friends, drinking a few Jupiler beers.”
Not quite confirmation that his playing career is up, but an indication that the end is very much near.
On the basis of the fact he has been semi-retired for a few years at Real Madrid now anyway, this move never really made sense from Rangers’ perspective, even more so now.
Besides, the last thing Michael Beale needs right now is a high-profile presence at Ibrox to attract even more attention.
Because if results continue the way they have been going, then Hazard can save one or two of those Jupiler beers for Beale.
In other Rangers news, Beale has taken to Instagram to react to news of a new managerial appointment.