Real Madrid and Arsenal battling for Eden Hazard; Villas-Boas claims Lampard has future at Chelsea

Real Madrid and Arsenal battling for Eden Hazard

Real Madrid and Arsenal could enter a real bidding war in January for Lille winger Eden Hazard, The Mirror reports.

Arsene Wenger has been tracking the Belgian winger for quite a while now and he even had a bid rejected earlier this summer.

The Arsenal boss remains keen on the 20-year-old and is reportedly ready to make a fresh bid in January.

However, the Gunners could face a stiff competition from Real Madrid for the player’s signature.

Real Madrid sporting director Zinedine Zidane is doing his best to convince the Lille star that his future lies at Santiago Bernabeu.

Lille somehow managed to hold on to their prized asset in the summer transfer window, but they may be powerless to resist a big money offer in January.

Hazard has been a key player for Lille over the last few seasons and he looks more than ready to join a big European club.

Villas-Boas claims Lampard has future at Chelsea

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas moved to deny reports that Frank Lampard will be leaving Stamford Bridge in the near future.

The Portuguese manager left the England international on the bench for the games against Fulham and Swansea, leading to speculation that Lampard was nearing the exit door.

However, Andre Villas-Boas has moved to praise the player before the clash with Valencia

“He’s a spectacular professional with nothing to prove to the football world,” Villas-Boas told reporters.

“He is a top-quality player and continues to be one of the most important at this club.”

The Portuguese says there is no truth in rumours that Lampard will leave the club.

“The story about him at the weekend was incredible. We refute all this speculation. It’s completely untrue.”

Frank Lampard does appear to be well past his prime and his days at Stamford Bridge look numbered even if the boss claims otherwise.

Modric offered £100,000 per week to stay at Tottenham

Tottenham have offered star player Luka Modric a new contract worth £100,000 per week, according to Daily Mail.

The Croatian midfielder was on the verge of making a switch to Chelsea earlier this summer, but he eventually remained at White Hart Lane.

Spurs chiefs are now determined to keep hold of their prized asset and are prepared to double his current wage.

The Croat only signed a six-year deal last year, but he is set to be rewarded with a new contract.

The negotiations have just started, but it is believed that the new deal will see Modric earn more than £100,000 per week.

Chairman Daniel Levy plans to offer the player a basic £95,000 per week wage, whereas extra bonuses could see the figure rise to £130,000 per week.

The Croatian midfielder is probably waiting to see whether Tottenham can mount a serious top 4 challenge before pledging his future to the club, although the signings of Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker are a real testament of club’s ambition.

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