Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea & Tottenham eye Eden Hazard

By David OrnsteinBBC Sport
Eden Hazard

Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham have all contacted Lille to register an interest in signing playmaker Eden Hazard.

The Premier League quartet, along with clubs in Italy and Germany, are keen to sign the 21-year-old Belgian but none of them has made a formal offer.

French champions Lille are willing to let Hazard leave in the summer if they receive an acceptable bid.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson watched Lille's defeat at Lyon on Saturday.

Ferguson missed out on Samir Nasri and Wesley Sneijder last summer but still appears determined to sign a creative midfielder.

When asked if a move to Old Trafford would attract him, Hazard told Lille daily newspaper La Voix du Nord:external-link "Of course. This is a club that excites everyone, but for now my focus is on Lille.

"But yes, it is a pleasure to be watched by one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is also an admirer of Hazard, who has won 26 caps for his country.

"Our owner is willing to pay for an exceptional talent, like Eden Hazard," Redknapp told L'Equipe.external-link

"I have seen him several times recently, in Marseilles [in January] and then also against PSG in the final of the Coupe de France [last May].

"But I also know that Manchester United are looking at him and also Manchester City.

"It will be difficult to get him but I like him a lot."

Hazard has scored 11 goals in 27 league games this season, helping Lille to third place in the French top flight.

He featured in all six of their Champions League group games and registered his first goal for Belgium in October.

Real Madrid had previously been linked with Hazard but they have not spoken to Lille about his availability.

The English clubs declined to comment when contacted by BBC Sport.