Man City join race for Hazard; Agent confirms Berbatov set for United exit

Man City join race for Hazard

Manchester City have joined the race to sign Lille forward Eden Hazard, The Sun has revealed.

The highly rated youngster is widely tipped to leave les Dogues for greener pastures in the summer and he will have no shortage of offers should Lille decide to cash in on their prized asset.

Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal are all keen on the Belgian international, but now Manchester City are in the race as well.

According to The Sun, the Citizens are ready to enter the bidding war for the player’s services and they even watched Hazard in action as Lille recorded a 4-0 victory over Valenciennes last night.

City manager Roberto Mancini, his assistant David Platt and administration officer Brian Marwood were all present at Stade Lille Metropole last night as Hazard scored one goal and created two assists for his teammates.

The player, who has 11 goals and as many assists in 28 Ligue 1 games this term, has a £33 million release clause inserted in his contract.

Agent confirms Berbatov set for United exit

The agent of Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov has confirmed reports that his client is going to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.

The Bulgarian striker has mostly been restricted to substitute appearances this season, after falling behind Daniel Welbeck and Javier Hernandez in the pecking order.

Berbatov recently expressed his desire to leave United in search of first team football and Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that the Red Devils would not stand in the player’s way.

The forward’s agent has now explained that his client is already looking for a new club.

“Dimitar will be able to look for a new team during the summer and United’s management assured us that they will not obstruct us in that,” Emil Danchev told Bulgarian channel Kanal 3 on Sunday.

In spite of starting just 5 Premier League games this term, Dimitar Berbatov managed to score 7 league goals in a total of 10 appearances.

Christian Panucci hints at Palermo deal

Former Italy international Christian Panucci has revealed that he is set to be appointed a new Palermo boss.

The former Real Madrid and Roma defender is currently working as a football pundit, but the 38-year-old claims he has already agreed to take over the reigns at Palermo.

“It is true,” Panucci was quoted as saying in La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I will be in the Palermo technical area. The agreement is only lacking a signature.”

Former Italy full-back has a contract until the end of the season with Sky Sport Italia, meaning that he first needs to reach an agreement with the Italian television chiefs before he can accept an offer from Palermo.

Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparrino is starting to lose patience with coach Bortolo Mutti and everything suggests that the experienced tactician will be sacked in the coming days.

The Rosanero currently occupy 10th place in the Serie A standings, but are already without chances to fight for European places.

Renzo Barbera outfit boast by far the worst away record in the top flight, having failed to win a single game on the travels this season.

For more news about football transfers and rumours, visit our Transfer News section. To view all football transfers for 2011/12 season, visit our Soccer Transfers section.