Crystal Palace are preparing to make a surprise move for free agent Eden Hazard.

The Belgian winger, still only 32, has been without a club since June 3 after he and Real Madrid mutually agreed to terminate his contract a year early.

Hazard was initially tied to Los Blancos until 2024 but it was decided by both parties that a clean break was the best course of action.

Now, Football Transfers claim Palace are planning to take a gamble on the ex-Chelsea star by offering him a one-year deal, despite his well-known injury struggles.

Roy Hodgson's forward department desperately needs bolstering after former talisman Wilfried Zaha joined Galatasaray on a free transfer last month.

Hazard moved to Real in June 2019 for an initial £88.5million and was expected to be Los Blancos' latest Galactico after a phenomenal final season in West London, where he helped the Blues win the Europa League.

But persistent injuries meant he was never able to find his best form in the Spanish capital, with the four-time Chelsea Player of the Year restricted to just 76 appearances in all competitions.

The Eagles will be well aware of his concerning medical record but also know that if they can help the winger rediscover something close to his best form, the deal would be viewed as a masterstroke.

In other news

Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool have no intention of selling Mohamed Salah this summer, despite the Egyptian receiving an astronomical contract offer from Saudi side Al-Ittihad.

Brentford have slapped an £80m price tag on Ivan Toney according to The Times, with Arsenal and Tottenham both interested in signing the striker in January following the completion of his FA ban.

Spurs are struggling to agree a fee with Nottingham Forest for 22-year-old forward Brennan Johnson, say the Independent.