Chelsea & Liverpool face £40m Inter fight over winger

Posted Saturday, October 22, 2011 by Givemesport.com

Inter Milan are the latest club to be linked with a January move for Belgian sensation Eden Hazard.

The Lille winger is being courted by Europe's elite, with clubs from France, Spain, Italy and England all thought to be keen on landing the 20-year-old in the New Year after failing to secure his services in the summer.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is a known admirer of the player, whilst Les Dogues academy director Jean-Michel Vandamme claimed earlier in the week that Chelsea were closest to signing the player.

"Chelsea has been following him the closest. The buyer will have to come up with a lot of money - let us say he is not currently to go for less than £40m," said Vandamme.

However, Inter Milan are the latest club to be linked with a move after captain Javier Zanetti confirmed the club were interested in the player and confident he would fit well at the San Siro.

"Eden is a player that I like. And I know that Inter are watching him. The club is very interested in this player. In my opinion, he has the level to play for us."

The news will add yet more fuel to a transfer fire, with The Daily Mirror reporting that Chelsea will now face a transfer 'auction' if they wish to secure the player's services.

Under new manager Andre Villas-Boas, the Blues have taken an approach of building for the future at Stamford Bridge, with youngsters Romelu Lukaku, Oriol Romeu and Juan Mata drafted in at Chelsea.Should the former Porto boss wish to continue this philosophy, then a move for Hazard would prove the club's intent, and the finances are available at Chelsea with owner Roman Abramovich showing in January that he's willing to spend big after Fernando Torres joined the club.

Liverpool have also spent big on youngsters since the arrival of 'King Kenny', with Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson two big-money examples at Anfield.

However, the Reds will have to beat off some strong competition if they are to secure Hazard's services.

The player has received a glowing endorsement from Liverpool loanee Joe Cole since his arrival in Ligue 1, with the England international confident Hazard can ply his trade in the Barclays Premier League.

Whether Liverpool will be able to make his home Merseyside remains to be seen though.