Arsenal set to beat Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid to signing of Belgian star

Arsenal look set to beat off competition from a host of top European clubs for the signature of 20-year old Lille winger Eden Hazard.

Hazard made his debut for Lille as a 16-year old in 2007 and has been a leading figure in the Ligue 1 side since, wining the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award for the last two seasons, the first player to do so since the origin of the award in 1994.

A talented winger and attacking midfielder, Hazard has scored 11 goals in 88 appearances for Lille and has appeared for the Belgian national side on 17 occasions since making his debut as a 17-year old in 2008.

Hazard is regarded as one of the most exciting talents in Europe and has attracted the interest of a host of European clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Arsenal look set to win the race to sign Hazard, however and are reportedly preparing a £15 million bid for the player in the summer.

“There is a lot of interest in Eden currently as you would expect,” a source close to Hazard said.

“Which top club in football wouldn’t want to be interested in such a fantastic talent?

“But obviously one must look at the situation from the perspective of Lille. It is impossible to talk about a move in January even if the player wanted to leave.

“Lille are leading Ligue 1 and they want to finish the season competing at the top. However a move in the summer is possible, but we will have to look at what offers are on the table.”

“As I said many top managers and clubs are interested in Eden. Arsenal have a lot of French players, and Eden is from Belgium, so language would not be a problem. He is a talented young player like many Arsenal players, but we will have to wait and see.”