Real Madrid have made the first move in their bid to sign Eden Hazard, by approaching Chelsea about a summer deal, with the Belgian’s idol, Zinedine Zidane, making a spectacular return to the Bernabeu.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Real firmed up their interest in Hazard shortly before Zidane’s ­reappointment, on a contract until 2022, had been finalised. The decision to replace Santiago Solari with the Frenchman will only increase the Chelsea forward’s desire to go.

It is understood Real have made a proposal to Chelsea, who value Hazard at £100 million despite the fact he will only have 12 months left on his contract at the end of the season.

Hazard is expected to tell Chelsea he wants to join Real and has not given the London club any encouragement that he will sign the contract extension worth well over £300,000-a-week that has been on the table for months.

Fifa’s refusal to freeze Chelsea’s transfer ban during their appeal has complicated matters, but it has not altered Hazard’s desire to join Real this summer.