Mourinho plots to hijack Hazard
442 Staff - Thursday 02 July 2009, 14:38
Inter Milan are planning a move for long-term Arsenal target Eden Hazard.
According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Inter boss Jose Mourinho has sent scouts to watch the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, who also attracted interest last season from Real Madrid.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has impressed since making his debut in 2008, turning out 31 times for Lille and picking up four Belgium caps.
Judging by recent quotes, Hazard fancies a move to a major league – and Mourinho may have to convince him that Serie A is a better destination than the Premier League or La Liga.
"Real Madrid and Arsenal are the clubs I dreamed of joining as a child," said Hazard. "If I joined Inter or Barcelona and could play football there then that would be very good, but Real and Arsenal are really great and play at a very high technical level.”
Mourinho indeed appear to have stepped up his efforts to sign the young starlet but looks likely to face stiff competition from Europe’s elite as Hazard looks set to depart the Stade Borne De L’Espoir in the near future.
NEWS: Hazard happy to stay at Lille