Lille have admitted they are expecting Eden Hazard to leave the club soon and are already thinking of ways to replace the exciting winger.
Hazard has shot to prominence in the last 18 months with his scintillating performances in Ligue 1, helping Lille to the French championship last season. His impressive form alerted Arsenal who were thought to be close to agreeing a £22m deal for the Belgian in the summer.
However, a move failed to materialize and now some of Europe’s elite have entered the fray with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Tottenham all linked with a move for the £35m rated star.
Now Lille coach Rudi Garcia has admitted it is only a matter of time before Hazrd leaves the club and they are already thinking of ways to replace the 20-year-old:
“We’re thinking about it, of course, but it is still a little early at the moment.
“It would be very hard to replace a player of Eden’s calibre. We’ll see what we can do, but for the moment we are making the most of his presence here.”
The Chairman of Lille has also passed comment on the situation, stressing the club will have the means to replace Hazard when he leaves:
“If he and we are in agreement with him leaving, I don’t know what his price will be at the end of the season,” he said.
“What is certain is that we will have the means to recruit after he has gone.”
