Tottenham Face Battle for Hazard After Belgian Ace Reveals Arsenal Interest

Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have been encouraged in their pursuit of Lille playmaker Eden Hazard after the player's father suggested he would be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Hazard, 21, has refuted reports that a deal is already in place to sign for Spurs but has hinted he would be interested in a move to the north London side.

A number of top English clubs have confirmed their interest in Hazard, with Tottenham, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea all admitting they are monitoring the Belgium international ahead of an expected move in the summer.

Tottenham were thought to be unable to match any bids from the bigger spending clubs, but earlier this week numerous press outlets claimed that Spurs were hoping to pull off one of their biggest signing coups in years to land the star.

And Harry Redknapp's interest could be fortified by comments attributed to Hazard Snr on Thursday.

"For now I can only say what Eden said on Monday on TV: Yes, there is interest from Spurs, and no, there's no offer," Hazard Snr. is quoted in the Mirror.

"The priority for Eden is one thing: games. Opportunities. It might be better to join a club just below the biggest."

And Hazard has admitted to being flattered by the prospect of a move to Tottenham, but will not rule out a move to London rivals Arsenal, despite the club's 4-0 humiliation at the hands of AC Milan on Wednesday night.

"Of course. It's always more fun when it's beautiful [the football]. In addition, at Arsenal, there is a coach and French players. And Thomas Vermaelen," Hazard told Sport Foot Magazine - via Goal.com.

"There are several clubs that interest me in England and Arsenal is really a part. That [the Premier League] is the championship where I think I can express myself better. Where I can learn more, too," Hazard continued.

"[It's] difficult to explain why. [It's a] question of feeling. The level of the matches, the atmosphere in the stadiums,

"This is still well above anything I've experienced so far in France and that attracts me. And I know many people in England. This is another added attraction."

Hazard pointed to the fact that he would get maximum game time at Tottenham as one of the reasons why he would consider moving there, with dream clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid offering a great deal of competition for a spot.

"Perhaps Spanish football would be better for me, rather than the English. But if you want to be champion, you would need to play with Barcelona or Real Madrid," he explained.

"The opportunities would be much smaller. The competition would be strong at Tottenham too, but less so that at Barca or Real.

"I think I can learn the most in England. You play a big game every week and the atmosphere is great."