Reds ask for Hazard warning

LIVERPOOL have asked Lille to keep them informed over the situation of highly-rated winger Eden Hazard.

Hazard is expected to leave the French club in the summer having been tracked by a clutch of top European clubs during the past 18 months.

Arsenal, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester United are all believed potential suitors of the 20-year-old, who shot to prominence with a goal against Liverpool in last season's Europa League.

Damien Comolli, Liverpool's director of football, has been keeping tabs on Hazard's progress for some time, and the Anfield outfit will now be told of any offers for the player before making their next move.

Having already claimed the French Cup at the weekend, Lille can move to within a point of lifting their first domestic championship in 57 years with a win over Sochaux this evening.

And Hazard yesterday hinted he will seek pastures new once the current Ligue 1 campaign has concluded.

"I want to play at a big club," said the Frenchman. "And in Italy we know there are many.

"I have no preference. A major championship, I feel like it. But for now, I am with Lille."

Meanwhile, Queens Park Rangers have distanced themselves from a summer move for Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole.

The Londoners, whose backers include Indian tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, have already been linked with a number of top players after sealing promotion to the Premier League.

But manager Neil Warnock said: "What we have here is perceived money. I don't think anyone wants to splash out fortunes.

"I think the Premier League will be a great league to be in, and I think the owners will really enjoy it, but they will want me to be as thrifty as I have been in the Championship, getting value for money and entertainment as best that we can without spending millions.

"I can't see them throwing money around with 18,000 crowds. I don't think they want to be self-sufficient, as that is difficult, but they don't want to be throwing money around stupidly.

"I see we have been linked with Joe Cole but I doubt we could afford a quarter of his wages."

Source: Liverpool Daily Post

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