Contrary to popular perception that Chelsea roped in Eden Hazard for 40 million euros ($42.9 million) from French club Lille, the English Premier League football actually paid 35 million euros ($34.4 million) for the star winger's services, according to reports.
According to Belgian daily Le Soir, Hazard, who has been in superb form this season, received 2.4 million euros ($2.5 million) in bonus for being named Premier League Player of the Year in 2015.
The Belgian outlet published a string of reports on Tuesday from whistleblowing website Football Leaks revealing the financial aspects behind the 25-year-old's contract.
Hazard's salary was also leaked; the diminutive playmaker earned 4.71 million euros ($5.05 million) in his first season in England, upping to 5 million euros ($5.3 million) in the second year.
"The first contract of Eden Hazard at Chelsea tells us little," the Le Soir report said. "Firstly because it dates from 2012 and has since been extended."
"Next because it is less detailed. We discover, however, that the transfer fee between Lille and Chelsea is not 40 million and is instead 35 million."
"Aside from that, it also details the star's gross salary at Chelsea for the first years (4.71 million euros for the first season and 5 million euros for the second)," the report continued.
"But this salary does not represent the reality because Hazard had extended his contract by three years in February 2015, doubling, according to certain outlets, his salary, going from 5 million euros to 12.4 million euros ($13.31 million)."
--IANS
dm/sam/vt
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
