Chelsea plan statement of intent with swoop for Hazard

Even as the club were building up to the Champions League final, Chelsea were preparing for next season as they moved closer to securing a deal for Eden Hazard. It is understood that they made a breakthrough in negotiations on Friday that could lead to Chelsea signing the highly-rated Belgian forward in a euros 35 million (pounds 28.3 million) deal from Lille.

Both Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in signing the player but have been put off by the exorbitant demands being made by Hazard's representatives. Well-placed sources have revealed that he is asking for wages of pounds 4.6 million net, which means an annual outlay of about pounds 9 million for a club. That is a weekly salary of roughly pounds 170,000.

While Hazard is one of the most talented young players in Europe, both City and United are unwilling to pay such a huge salary for a 21 year-old who has only played in the French league.

While City could afford it, they no longer feel they are in the position of needing to offer disproportionately large contracts to persuade players to sign.

There are also issues surrounding the commission being demand by agents involved in the deal. One source said that it could be as much as pounds 6 million, another factor that would put off City and United. With the player's unpredictable public statements, both camps are wary about being played off against each other.

Chelsea, however, are prepared to meet some of Hazard's demands. They are keen to sign an attacking playmaker, having missed out on Luka Modric last summer, and signing a player like Hazard would be a statement of intent ahead of next season.

Despite this season's European success, Chelsea are committed to rebuilding the team, bringing in younger, more technically expansive players. While Hazard would be expensive, it would represent a coup for the west London club, as almost every major European side would want him in their squad.

According to reports in France, his representatives were back in London yesterday (Saturday) to continue negotiations.

Hazard is the creative hub of a Lille team that won the French title last year, a highly-gifted and versatile forward who can play out wide, as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker. He was named player of the year in the French league for the second season running after a season in which he scored 17 goals in 37 league games. He made his debut for Belgium when he was 17 and has won 26 caps.

If Hazard did sign it could have repercussions on other potential deals. Chelsea would then be unlikely to go in for Modric again, especially as Tottenham maintain they do not want to sell, especially to an English rival. Real Madrid are the only club that might be able to put together the kind of bid to tempt Tottenham.

Joe Cole, who has been on loan at Lille this season, said Hazard was one of the finest players he had ever played with. "He's a bit like Messi," Cole said. "There's only one Messi and I don't want to put pressure on the kid, but he's like him - short, squat, powerful legs, great touch, he can finish, he's got everything. He is different class and he's got the same attitude as Wayne Rooney at that age - he's fearless."