It's fair to say things haven't exactly gone to plan for Eden Hazard since joining Real Madrid almost three years ago in a Galactico-level transfer deal and now former rivals Arsenal could be set to offer him an escape route.
The Belgian forward has started just 40 games since moving to the Spanish capital in 2019 and has scored just six times for Real Madrid. Injuries have often prevented him from getting a run in the side, although he has failed to find his Chelsea form even when fit and available.
Los Blancos would certainly be very open to cutting their losses and shifting Hazard's superstar wages from their books and Mikel Arteta is keen on bringing the 31-year-old to the Emirates.
Arsenal have been improving under the Basque coach and suddenly look like they are a top-four side again and they hope to boost their squad this summer with top-level new arrivals with the lure of Champions League football, a competition the club hasn't featured in since 2017.
There are a couple of potential stumbling blocks to a potential move back to London, however. The first is that the player himself has always been determined to prove himself in Madrid and, on top of that, may be reluctant to move to one of Chelsea's rivals.
The other, is that Arsenal may well face competition from Newcastle who are eager to splash their newfound Saudi cash and wouldn't baulk at the Belgian's salary.
Arsenal have made contact
According to Foot Mercato, Arsenal have already made contact about a potential deal and it seems their interest is serious. Champions League football in a resurgent team under a highly-rated coach, along with a return to English football, where he established himself as one of the top players, might eventually persuade Hazard that it's time to move on.
Already the wrong side of 30, and with his injury record, he may not get many chances to join a top team again and it's clear Madrid are growing frustrated with him.
For the Gunners, Hazard would clearly be a risk in sporting and financial terms, as he's really shown next to nothing in the last three years that would justify signing him. But if Arteta can get him playing his football again, he could not only add some serious star quality to an ambitious young team, but some experience and know-how as well.