Eden Hazard is 'sad' at Real Madrid, claims Belgium manager Roberto Martinez, amid transfer links back to Premier League

Hazard joined Madrid in June 2019 but he has endured a number of fitness issues and injuries during his time at the Bernabeu.

He has not able to replicate his Chelsea goalscoring record where he scored 110 times in 352 appearances and won six trophies between 2012 and 2019.

At Real Madrid, Hazard has only registered five goals in 54 games over the past three seasons.

Newcastle have expressed their interest in signing the Belgian forward following the Saudi-led consortium takeover at St James Park.

However, former Everton manager Martinez remains hopeful that Madrid will continue to support Hazard while he goes through a patchy period in his playing career.

"Hazard is medically in his best moment since he arrived at Real Madrid," said Martinez whilst speaking on COPE's show El Partidazo.

"He is sad in football terms, this is the first time that he is experiencing this situation.

"He is a player who has always led winning projects and now he doesn't have that role, but he is a footballer of exceptional talent and that is never lost, you have to have faith in him."

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted he won't get in Hazard's way if he wants to pursue a new challenge to rejuvenate his career.

"Never in my career as a coach have I forced a player to stay when they want to leave," said Ancelotti.

"In my own personal opinion I don't have any doubts about that."