Hazard eyes Arsenal switch

Lille star Eden Hazard has set his sights on a move to Arsenal, despite recently declaring an interest in signing for rivals Tottenham.

Arsenal, fresh from a 4-0 loss in the Champions League round-of-16 against AC Milan, are in dire need of someone of Hazard’s talents, and the Lille striker has spoken highly of the North London club.

“It’s always more fun when it’s beautiful (football). In addition, at Arsenal, there is a coach and French players. And Thomas Vermaelen,” Hazard told Sport Foot Magazine.

“There are several clubs that interest me in England and Arsenal is really a part (of that).”

The 21-year-old starlet has been linked with a host of top clubs throughout the Ligue 1 campaign, but expressed his eagerness for a move to the Premier League specifically.

“That’s the championship where I think I can express myself better. Where I can learn more too,” Hazard said.

“(It’s) difficult to explain why. (It’s a) question of feeling. The level of the matches, the atmosphere in the stadiums.”

“This is still well above anything I’ve experienced so far in France and that attracts me. And I know many people in England. This is another added attraction.”

Real Madrid and Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for Hazard at season’s end, but the player is keen to play down such rumours.

“I’m obviously not against the idea,” he added.

“Who does not dream of Real Madrid? Or FC Barcelona? But I am convinced that, for now at least, the ideal for me would be England.”

“I am lucid enough to realise that being holder in one of two Spanish grandees, at my age it would be complicated.”