Chelsea manager Antonio Conte denies Barcelona's move for Eden hazard

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London, July 29: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has refused rumours linking Belgian star Eden Hazard with a move to Barcelona after stories developed in the media that the 26-year-old is being lined up as a potential replacement for Neymar.

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The Brazilian star has been tipped to join French giant Paris Saint German this summer for a world record fee of €222 million and according to a report from Radio Marca, the Catalan club has reportedly zeroed in on the Belgium international for filling that void.

However, his club manager Conte has now dismissed all the reports of Hazard moving out of the club and claims the 26-year-old is very much part of his plans for the season ahead.

Conte also proposed that the last year's Chelsea player of the year is happy at the club and these rumours were just regular transfer-window gossip.

"I know nothing about this situation," Conte said.

"In the past, I have read a lot of stories about Hazard to Real Madrid and now with Barcelona. This is the transfer market and we must understand this. I think Eden is very happy to stay with us and playing for Chelsea."

Hazard is currently nursing an ankle injury and did not travel with the Chelsea squad for any pre-season. The attacker is poised to miss the opening month of the Premier league campaign and Conte was questioned the return date of the player, he also could not mention any particular time.

"It's difficult to say because when you are coming back from a bad injury, it's not easy to schedule an exact date to come back," Conte said.

Chelsea have already added the likes of Willy Caballero, Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata this summer and could continue their shopping spree this summer.

Reports have emerged that they are reportedly edging closer to securing the signing of Juventus defender Alex Sandro for staggering £61 million.

The Blues are also said to be reportedly keeping an eye on English winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's situation at Arsenal with a view to a summer move to boost his squad with homegrown players.

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