Manchester City huge favourites as Hazard prepares to make final decision over future on Monday
The Lille star has confirmed he will be playing in Manchester next
season and Roberto Mancini's team expect to beat rivals United in the
race for the 21-year-old attacker
EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart | Northern Correspondent
Lille star Eden Hazard is expected to make a final decision on his future on Monday, with Manchester City huge favourites to beat rivals United to the attacker’s signature.
The £32 million-rated Belgium international
has already announced that he will leave Lille this summer and once
again confirmed that he will sign for one of the Manchester clubs in an
interview on Monday.
Hazard says he has “90 per cent” decided on
his future and newly-crowned Premier League champions City believe they
are in line to land the 21-year-old barring a last-minute change of
heart.
Both United and City are in constant negotiations with the
player’s agent as he looks to secure the best possible deal for his
client, who was voted the Ligue 1 player of the season and is one of the
most highly rated talents in Europe.
Hazard will play his final
game for Lille against Nancy on Sunday night and will confirm his
decision on his next club the following day.
City have offered
Hazard wages in the region of £100,000-a-week and the assurance of
regular football to lure him to the Etihad Stadium. In an attempt to
convince the attacking midfielder to join Roberto Mancini’s team, they
have also shown him around the city to look at houses and he was a guest
at the Manchester derby at the end of April.
Le Parisien
has also suggested that City have agreed to play Lille in a pre-season
friendly this summer to open the French club’s new stadium, which has
prompted claims it could be part of a deal for Hazard.
Hazard has
been in stunning form this season, scoring 17 goals and providing 15
assists at the club where he has spent his entire professional career
after joining at the age of 14.
He has consistently spoken of his desire to
play in the Premier League next term and when asked on Monday where he
will be playing, he replied: "To Manchester, as I have already said. The
decision will be taken soon.
"I have made my choice 90 per cent.
There are always small things that can change everything. You will soon
know where my future lies.
"City have won the title this year, and they have great players, a great coach and a nice project.
"At United, we all know [Sir Alex] Ferguson and all the talented players he has in his squad."
Source : Goal.com
