HAZARD WANTS ENGLISH MOVE

Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly leading the race to complete the signing of highly rated Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard.

Eden Hazard is one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe after performing exceptionally well with French club Lille. He broke through the scene at Lille last season and one of the key performers of the title winning squad last season.

It has been reported that he would be willing to move to new pastures in the summer. The playmaker could command up to £ 30 million in transfer fees. He has been linked with clubs all over Europe including the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.

However, if recent reports are to be believed, then it is Arsenal and Chelsea who are in the ascendancy to sign the player in the summer. Both Arsenal and Chelsea are in the need of a highly skilled playmaker who can open up defences.

Chelsea have been lacking that kind of a player ever since the departure of Arjen Robben to Real Madrid in 2004, while Arsenal also lost a similar kind of players in the form of Cesc Fabregas in the summer. As a result, both clubs are looking at the option of signing Eden Hazard, although it remains to be seen if Arsenal will be willing to break their strict transfer fee regulations.

"I want to play in England because it a style of play that I like. I want to play for a big club, but also one where I will play every week. I've played more than 100 games in Ligue 1 so I would prefer to go abroad. I want to discover something new and playing abroad is a conscious decision," Hazard told Canal+.

If I was a gambling man, I'd stick an online football bet on him heading to Stamford Bridge this summer, and the arrival of the 23-year-old playmaker to Chelsea may well signal the start of a new era.