Chelsea Join United In Chase For Belgian Prodigy

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Chelsea are set to join Premier League Champions Manchester United in the race for Belgian starlet Axel Witsel, who plays for Standard Liege, according to reports.

Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is understood to be a big admirer of 19-year-old midfielder Witsel and is reported as already having a £19million offer turned down for the Belgian International last month.



Now Chelsea are believed to have made enquiries about the Les Rouches player, who has already made 78 appearances, scoring 16 goals in the process since making his senior debut for Standard in 2006 after coming through the youth set-up at the Belgian club and was a pivotal figure in Standard winning their first league title in 25 years last season.

Standard Liege however, are in no hurry to let their prodigy leave the Stade Maurice Dufrasne, having already sold one of their stars Marouane Felliani to Premiership club Everton in the summer for £15million, with it unlikely that Wisel will be allowed to leave in January, while the Belgian side are still involved in the UEFA Cup.

This would mean Chelsea having to wait until next summer before starting a bidding war with the Red Devils for the signature of Witsel, with the Blues hoping to have sneaked in to do a deal for Witsel, while United were away at the World Club Championships in Japan.

Arsenal Target Cabaye Flattered By Interest

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Arsenal January transfer target Yohan Cabaye has revealed that he is flattered by the interest of the Premier League club, but has insisted that for the moment his focus remains on helping Ligue 1 side Lille qualify for Europe next season.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly tracking Cabaye along with the midfielder’s Belgian International team-mate Eden Hazard, who Wenger has had watched on several occasions and is keen to lure the pair to the Emirates Stadium in January.



22-year-old Cabaye has been at Lille since 2001 and has come through the academy at the French side, with the midfielder already making over 100 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille since his senior debut in 2004. Cabaye is under contract at the Stadium Lille-Metropole until 2013, but the French Under-21 International hinted that he could leave the French side, with his future dependant on any offers that might arise.

Cabaye told L’Equipe: “In the past, there weren’t all those rumours surrounding me. That’s good - flattering.

“For the moment, I try not to lose my focus. Like every season, my plan is to play the best I can in order to help the club qualify for a European cup.

“Only after that I will see what the best is regarding my future. For sure, I’m happy that my work is being recognised. It’s up to me to work as twice hard to make people speak even more about me.

“(My future) will depend on offers, but reaching the next level in France would be fine. Playing Ligue 1 and Champions League football at the same time would be, super important in terms of development.”

Arsenal Given Hope In Van Buyten Chase?

Arsenal transfer target Daniel van Buyten has revealed that while he is happy at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich he will see what happens during the winter, with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger reportedly ready to swoop for the Belgian International in January.

30-year-old Van Buyten has been at the Allianz Arena since making the switch from SV Hamburg in 2006, but despite limited opportunities under new coach Jurgen Klinsman this season insists he will not be looking for a new club.

“I am still good at Bayern and I want to stay there,” Van Buyten told HLN.

“I understand I am going to play less regularly this season, but I am focused on doing my best, without looking for a new club.”

However, Van Buyten has suggested that his stance could be changed, with the Belgian declaring Arsenal “a top club” and that there is still time to take a decision on his future. Leaving the door open for a January switch to the Premier League.

“I must say Arsenal are a top club. We will see what happens during the winter but I am good at Bayern and there is still enough time to take a decision,” he added.

Arsenal & Chelsea Set To Miss Out On Hazard?

Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea look set to miss out on Belgian starlet Eden Hazard after the midfielder decided to sign his first professional contract at Ligue 1 club Lille.

Both the Gunners and the Blues have sent scouts to watch 17-year-old Hazard for Belgium against Luxembourg on Wednesday, where the highly rated youngster is expected to make his debut for Belgium.

However, this could prove to be a wasted journey, with Hazard signing his first professional contract with Lille, which will tie him to the Stadium Lille-Metropole until 2012. This will be a blow to the Premiership sides, with Hazard regarded as one of the brightest prospects in European football.

Hazard first came to prominence during last summers Under-17 European Championships, which is when the youngster caught the eye of Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen along with Steve Rowley, who is the chief scout at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal & Chelsea Tracking Belgian Starlet

Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly tracking Belgian starlet Eden Hazard of Ligue 1 side Lille in France.

Both the Blues and the Gunners are understood to be sending scouts to watch the 17-year-old midfielder, who is expected to make his International debut for Belgium against Luxembourg on Wednesday.

Hazard first came to prominence during last summers Under-17 European Championships, which is when the youngster caught the eye of Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen along with Steve Rowley, who is the chief scout at the Emirates Stadium.

Should Rowley and Arnesen decide that Hazard possesses the qualities to succeed in the Premiership then a tug-of-war for the attacking-midfielder could happen in January, with both clubs eager to snap up Hazard, who is regarded as on of Europe’s finest young prospects.