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.”

Gunners Planning Double Swoop On Lille?

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is planning a double swoop for Eden Hazard and Yohan Cabaye, who both play for Ligue 1 side Lille, when the transfer window reopens in January, according to French newspaper L'Equipe.

17-year-old Hazard, who is also being tracked by the Gunners Premiership rivals Chelsea, 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.



However, Hazard signed his first professional contract with Lille recently, which will tie him to the Stadium Lille-Metropole until 2012. This is sure to drive up any transfer fee for the talented midfielder, who Wenger had watched recently, when Hazard made his senior debut for Belgium against Luxembourg.

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. Like Hazard, Cabaye is also tied to a long-term contract at LOSC, with his present deal running until 2013.

Wenger is expected to make a swoop for both players in January, with reports in France suggesting that Cabaye is ready to end his seven-year stay at Les Dogues and join the Premier League club.

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.