Real Madrid 'preparing bid' for Arsenal transfer target Eden Hazard

Posted Sunday, October 02, 2011 by Metro.co.uk

Arsenal's hopes of signing Lille star Eden Hazard have taken a blow, with the news that Real Madrid are planning to make a bid.

The Belgian midfielder has been one of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger's top transfer targets since the start of the year, but the French champions were unwilling to sell over the summer.

Eden Hazard is a target for Real Madrid

Hazard, 20, has also caught the eye of Zinedine Zidane, who now works as Real Madrid's sporting director.

The World Cup winner recently asked the club's scouts to compile a detailed dossier on Hazard, reports Spanish newspaper AS.

It recommended that Madrid should try to sign the youngster and both Zidane and coach Jose Mourinho have apparently now approved the report.

Lille have put a £25million price tag on Hazard, who only signed a new contract committing him to the club until 2015 in March.

That price would not have deterred Real Madrid in the past, but the new Financial Fair Play regulations mean they can no longer afford to be so extravagant.

They are likely to attempt to negotiate the transfer fee down, which would present Arsenal with an opportunity to beat them to Hazard's signature.