Conte to make Man City star a top target to replace Hazard if he leaves Chelsea – reports

Chelsea could turn their attention to Manchester City star Raheem Sterling if Eden Hazard leaves the club for Real Madrid in the summer.

Real Madrid are currently having a bad season, with the league out of sight and the top four looks to be in serious doubt. Zinedine Zidane’s tactics have failed miserably this campaign as there are chances he could be axed before the end of the season.

With the La Liga giants undergoing one of the most underwhelming campaigns, there are high chances of a complete squad overhaul in the summer. Cristiano Ronaldo could leave the club after the end of the season, while the likes of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema may also be shown the door.

That could see Hazard move from Stamford Bridge to Bernabeu. Should that happen, the Blues could make a sensational move for City winger Raheem Sterling, Spanish website Don Balon reports.

The England international has been in fantastic form for City this season. He has already scored 14 goals in the league, helping Pep Guardiola’s side to the top of the table. Guardiola’s City are running away with the Premier League and Sterling has been one of their stars.

It was understood that the signing of Bernardo Silva could spell the end of Sterling at City but the winger has been a player reborn under Pep this season and there are no surprises to see him being linked with a move away from the Etihad.

It is very clear that Guardiola won’t allow his star man leave the club next season and that too for a rival club. But the report adds that the City manager already has a replacement in mind should Sterling surprisingly try to push through a move to join Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.

It is understood Guardiola would make a move for Real’s rising star Marco Asensio in summer. The young Spaniard started well this season but has been at the periphery in the last few months as Real have struggled.

Despite Ronaldo, Benzema and Isco failing to make an impact, Zidane has largely overlooked Asensio and that could turn the player’s head to leave the Bernabeu after the end of the dismal campaign. If the Spanish winger makes up his mind to leave Real, Guardiola is thought to be ready to pounce at the other end.

The three-way play starts with Hazard and could end in Asensio. But if Conte persuades Hazard to stay put at the Bridge, it would put an end to this speculation.