Eden Hazard

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

He is going to join City and earn 200k a week,will score plenty of goals for them and after a year will force a transfer to Real Madrid.

[zolayes 14,489]

He is going to join City and earn 200k a week,will score plenty of goals for them and after a year will force a transfer to Real Madrid.

just like Robhino

[laeth 527]

He is going to join City and earn 200k a week,will score plenty of goals for them and after a year will force a transfer to Real Madrid.

His agent says he has agreed a deal with all three clubs; you can bet your bottom dollar it won't be for 200k a week. TBH I think you're all being a bit OTT here; he's not done anything douche like as far as I'm concerned. Wow, he spoke to the media about where he may end up. Big deal; good on him I say - whoever signs him will definitely get a boost in merchandise sales.

[Spike 12,049]

Everyone is so cynical. Sigh...

[Tricky 301]

People's reactions are comical. He hasn't put a foot wrong.

He is making a significant decision in his life, he wants to maxmisie earnings but also insure that he is in a position to get first team football and win things. Ohh and I forgot to mention he is also a nipper!

Lay off him...

Personally hope he signs for us, got 5 years on hulk, has bags of potential and from what his current club are saying is a lovely individual.

Ps - would be a mistake to sign for city, purely mercenaries there at the minute.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

His agent says he has agreed a deal with all three clubs; you can bet your bottom dollar it won't be for 200k a week. TBH I think you're all being a bit OTT here; he's not done anything douche like as far as I'm concerned. Wow, he spoke to the media about where he may end up. Big deal; good on him I say - whoever signs him will definitely get a boost in merchandise sales.

The wages are the only thing putting me down.If it is to believed to be anything more than 150k then that's just outrageous.i know we pay Torres 180k a week but we can't make the same mistake twice.I want players to come here for our style and blah blah,hate attracting players because of money.We are the champions of Europe for god sake.100k a week is reasonable.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Yes Hazard has been toying with teams. It would be better for his reputation if he just shuts his mouth untill the Transfer is done. At the same time though, some of you are going way too OTT, calling him Names and stuff.

[DYC. 7,542]

Hazard -> Chelsea

Kagawa -> Man Utd

Hulk -> Man City

Kalou -> Arsenal

Downing signs contract for life -> Liverpool

[fAnta 107]

Hazard -> Chelsea

Kagawa -> Man Utd

Hulk -> Man City

Kalou -> Arsenal

Downing signs contract for life -> Liverpool

Don't like the idea of Hulk signing for Man City one bit.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

In recent months Lille starlet Eden Hazard has been a one-man rumour mill, with the future of the young Belgian a subject of intense and incessant speculation which has in turn allowed him to play the field with a host of top European clubs.

The 21-year-old’s transfer is already lined up to be the blockbuster move of the summer and with England’s elite ready to roll out the red carpet to secure his services, Goal.com takes a look back at the hunt for Hazard’s signature up to now and where he is likely to end up. The story so far

Long touted as one of the next big things in European football, Hazard had already interested the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid and Inter as early as last summer. Yet, with a Ligue 1 title under his belt with current club Lille and in turn a season of Champions League football, the wideman opted to remain in northern France. While the player’s agent, John Bico, revealed in October that Real Madrid had been “watching him for quite a while”, the first English club to show a firm interest in the Belgium international was Chelsea - with the Blues still in the midst of a first-team revamp under their now former manager Andre Villas-Boas.By the end of the month, Hazard had confirmed his desire to leave Lille and “make the next step in my career at a bigger club”, yet the interest of the west Londoners and Real had waned.The Spanish giants, along with La Liga rivals Barcelona, had turned their attentions to Montpellier’s Younes Belhanda - the young Moroccan who has since steered his side to the French title - while Villas-Boas’ desire only to sign players available for European competition prevented a potential January move, with the Blues seemingly pulling out of the race by February.

The Belgian’s representatives had already been enticing other interested parties, and after Hazard confirmed he would move “to England” in late January, both Manchester City and United jostled for pole position in the race to land the player’s signature over the following months.Although Arsene Wenger would concede his desire to see Hazard arrive at Arsenal, there was no real conviction in his efforts, while Tottenham’s brief link to the player soon evaporated after Spurs’ end-of-season stumble, leaving the two Manchester clubs to battle it out.Sir Alex Ferguson was first to scout Hazard in person, taking in Lille’s 2-1 defeat to Lyon in March, yet despite his initial reluctance, it would be Roberto Mancini who soon set upon the charm offensive to land his man.Throughout January Mancini distanced himself from a move for the player, with the Italian more than likely distracted by the club’s attempts to sell Carlos Tevez, but still by February, the 47-year-old insisted he did not “envisage recruiting him.”Whether the ex-Inter boss was indulging in similar mind games to those he employed during the Premier League run-in, or was stirred by seeing his side nearly throw away the title after a series of inept performances, the City manager soon pinned his colours to the mast.“City would be the perfect destination for him” Mancini stated last month, having watched Lille’s 4-0 victory over Valenciennes in which Hazard scored once and created two more.

Hazard inspired Lille to a 2-1 victory over PSG in front of City suit Patrick Vieira and United’s Martin Ferguson in late April, before reportedly attending the clash between the two Premier League sides at the Etihad Stadium a day later. And, after confirming his switch to the north west just over a week ago, Hazard was set to reveal which side of the Manchester divide he would plump for on Sunday evening.

That was until Chelsea’s triumph in Saturday’s Champions League final, with the prospect of life at Stamford Bridge more tempting for the attacker now they have secured their position in Europe’s elite competition next season. However, the Blues will be aware they are no longer the richest kids on the block, and Hazard is making no bones about playing his hand to the maximum. Chelsea

Despite securing the FA Cup and Champions League this season, Chelsea will undergo a major overhaul this summer. With the club having already heavily invested in young Belgian talent such as Romelu Lukaku (right), Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, Hazard will be presented with his biggest opportunity to play regularly at Stamford Bridge.

Gifted on either wing, the 21-year-old could seamlessly fit into the 4-3-3 formation so often favoured by the Blues in past, while the 4-2-3-1 used by Roberto Di Matteo would allow Hazard room to devastate from the second bank of attack – particularly with Juan Mata distributing from the hole.

Chances of signing:

Arguably the ideal choice for Hazard, with the Belgian likely to be handed a lead role in a revamp of the newly crowned European champions. However, the Blues must be wary of a player who could be attempting to use their interest in order to gain a larger pay day elsewhere. Manchester City

A move to the Etihad Stadium would not only prove lucrative in financial terms, but also provide a guarantee of competing in the upper echelons of the Premier League and the Champions League over a sustained period.

The presence of the impressive David Silva and Samir Nasri (right), the latter coming to the fore during the run-in last season, will provide stern competition for Hazard in the wide positions of Mancini’s preferred 4-2-2-2, yet hopes of prolonged participation in a number of cup competitions in the coming campaign should ensure the attacker sees more than his fair share of game time.

A criticism of City at times, particularly during their lean streak in front of goal away from home, was their failure to penetrate in the final third of the field – something which arguably made Carlos Tevez’s return a necessity – and it is a problem Hazard’s spark could well be the solution to.

Chances of signing:

Money aside, Manchester City may be on the verge of a dominant era in English football if they continue their rapid development. This is surely a factor for Hazard alongside the bumper contract, and there is certainly room for a player of his calibre in their first team. Manchester United

The free-flowing counterattack football mastered by Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford could reap huge rewards from Hazard’s arrival. His pace and dribbling would slot in perfectly with a Manchester United side heavily reliant on attacking wide players.

While the likes of Antonio Valencia (right), Ashley Young and Nani form some of the strongest pillars of the United squad, the manager’s rotation of his wingers throughout the season would ensure the Belgian had ample opportunity in the first XI.

Hazard would shine in the 4-4-2 formation so often used by the Red Devils, but in the 4-5-1 employed by Sir Alex when his team’s backs are likely to be against the wall, the 21-year-old’s ability could really begin to be utilised if he is able to drift in and link up with Wayne Rooney when he is used as a lone striker.

Chances of signing:

United remain an attractive option, and if Hazard indicated his preference would be for Old Trafford, then money would not be a stumbling block. That said, they are still likely to be pipped to the post by City.

By Andrew Kennedy

At this point chances mean nothing, it's up to him now. No more negotiations means it's a footballing decision from now on too. Everyone in the comments seem to agree that Chelsea is clearly the best option, some stuff he says like Hazard having ample opportunity in a team like United which has such a strong wing is quite funny. Logic still clearly points to Chelsea, but Ferguson's input is the major obstacle. He's made Ronaldo and we are still uncertain as to who will be our manager next season.

[DYC. 7,542]

Don't like the idea of Hulk signing for Man City one bit.

As long as we get Hazard, I don't care where Hulk goes tbh. Though I'd love to see Mancini having to handle so many stars.

[Hamilton 2,120]

He will getting the free role on the 10 in the Belgium - Montenegro game next friday, just like at Lille..

[Joker10 946]

Don't like the idea of Hulk signing for Man City one bit.

I don't either, he is going to be immense wherever he goes.

For me Hulk is better then Hazard atm, while Hazard is younger and potential to be better.

[Kojo 4,676]

Unbelievable, bandwagon strikes again, as soon as one person says ''wow he only said this to his agent blah blah blah your going overboard'', another 5 people jump on and say the same shieeeeeeeeeeeeeet as clay davis would say, unbelievable jeff doesn't top it off i'm afraid.

[Kojo 4,676]

What a stupid aritcle, we have more chances of signing him than United, United cannot pay his wages or just shot out 30 odd million, if they do that they can't sign anymore players till another season and they need to sign a few players this summer.