Cesc Fabregas convinced Eden Hazard will 'extend his contract with Chelsea'

Belgian forward's current deal expires in June 2020, and there is reported interest from Real Madrid

SWANSEA, WALES - APRIL 28:  Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea celebrates with teammates Olivier Giroud and Eden Hazard after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Chelsea at Liberty Stadium on April 28, 2018 in Swansea, Wales.  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes former teammate Eden Hazard will sign a new long-term contract at Chelsea after the Belgian revealed he had made a decision regarding his future.

Hazard initially made clear his desire to fulfill his "dream" of playing for Real Madrid after helping Belgium to third place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The 28-year-old forward's current Chelsea deal is set to expire in June 2020, placing the Premier League club in a position where they either need to sell Hazard in the summer or risk losing him for free if he refuses to sign a new contract.

However, Real Madrid have reportedly been put off by Chelsea's £100 million (Dh475.45m) asking price, while Hazard revealed to French TV station RMC last week that he has come to a final decision.

Fabregas, who played alongside Hazard at Chelsea for four-and-a-half years, is confident that his former teammate would not have discussed his future at a crucial stage of the season if he intended to leave.

“I think he’s going to extend his contract with Chelsea," Fabregas, who joined Monaco last month, told Spanish radio station Cadena SER.

"He’s a loyal player. He told me he would never fight with Chelsea to leave. This is his club, he has won so much in England.

“This is just what I think, but I know him well. If he has made a decision, it would never be to let the club down in the middle of the season, he would not do that.”

While Fabgreas insisted that his thoughts regarding Hazard's future were just his instincts, he is confident that should the Belgian decide to leave Chelsea, it would only be for Real Madrid.

“I don’t know what he will do,” Fabregas said. ”I know he likes Madrid, it was his dream as a child to play there, but I also know he is very happy at Chelsea. I know his family are happy in London and he is one of the captains of the team.

“But he must make a decision as he is at the end of his contract, first because of money but also because, at 28 years old, it is the right and last time for him to go.”

Hazard's next test with Chelsea comes on Sunday with a trip to Premier League champions Manchester City. Chelsea are currently fourth in the table, two points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United.

Fabregas, meanwhile, is also in action on Sunday as 18th-placed Monaco travel to Montpellier aiming to climb out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone.