Former Chelsea ace Eden Hazard is reportedly set for a shock return to the Premier League.

Chelsea’s Premier League rivals, Newcastle and Aston Villa, are said to be Hazard’s most likely suitors should he eventually leave his current club, Real Madrid, in the near future.

Newcastle have the financial power to accommodate Hazard’s huge wages, reported to be £ 400,000 a week, while Aston Villa have serious ambitions about getting into Europe and are willing to back new manager Unai Emery with new signings.

According to El Nacional, Real Madrid are ready to cut their losses and get rid of Hazard at the earliest opportunity.

The Los Angeles Blancos are willing to listen to permanent and temporary offers for the Belgian international, though any loan deal would have to include an obligation to buy clause of around £17 million.

The UEFA Champions League holders are content to take a huge loss on Hazard, who, while at Chelsea, was considered one of the world’s best players.

Hazard, who has made just 18 goal contributions in 72 appearances for Real Madrid so far, left Chelsea for the Spanish LaLiga giants back in 2019 in a deal worth over £100 million.

However, Hazard’s time at the Santiago Bernabeu has been a complete disaster, with the 31-year-old plagued with injury and fitness issues.

Hazard’s current contract with Real Madrid expires in 2024, but before any transfer dealings can be done, the winger will head to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with the Belgium national team.