It’s been reported by Goal.com that long-term Arsenal target Eden Hazard will not be heading to the Emirates next summer, with Real Madrid supposedly the only side that the Belgium international will move to.
According to El Confidencial, Hazard has told Lille directors that he has set his sights on a move to Real Madrid and will turn down offers from other clubs. This is a big blow for Gunners fans that were hoping the funds raised from Nasri and Fabregas’ sales last summer would be reinvested in the Belgian starlet.
Madrid sporting director and French legend Zinedine Zidane has repeatedly expressed his admiration for Hazard and has been eager to lure the 20-year-old star winger away from Lille, and he looks set to do so next summer. Hazard has a contract with the French outfit until the summer of 2015 and an offer in excess of £34m is expected to secure the Belgium international, however with Hazard rejecting bids from other clubs, Madrid will get a cheaper price just like Barcelona did with Fabregas.
Some better news though, Borussia Dortmund’s Kevin Grosskreutz has revealed he would be keen on a switch to Arsenal, with the midfielder labeling the Gunners as his ‘favourite club’ in England.
The attacking midfielder, who has three caps for Germany, was reportedly watched by Arsenal chief scout Steve Rowley when he played and scored against Olympiakos last week. Grosskreutz, 23, has impressed at Dortmund in recent seasons, helping the club to lift the Bundesliga title last campaign as he netted eight goals and managed seven assists.
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It has been widely reported Arsenal are monitoring the attack-minded German and his team mate Mario Gotze, however it is Grosskreutz that the attention is turning to after stating that he is keen on and move to England’s top division and labelled the north London side as his favourite club:
If I do ever leave Dortmund, I would like to go to the Premier League in England, and my favourite club there is Arsenal.
The attacking midfielder’s contract with the Bundesliga champions runs until the summer of 2014, and with speculation mounting Grosskreutz’s agent has spoken out on his client’s future. Liolios was quoted by Bild:
We are aware of the English interest in Kevin. However, there hasn’t been any personal contact with Arsenal so far.
Grosskreutz comes across as a poor mans Gotze really, he is a quality player but is not in the caliber of his German counterpart who is younger and has an insane amount of potential. Wenger and Arsenal’s board should sanction a massive bid for Gotze to secure his signature next summer, however if that fails it is not worth splashing more than £10m on Grosskreutz, rather they should be patient and sign Gotze when he is available.
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